Scientific consensus: These chemicals found in consumer and building products should be avoided

More than 200 scientists released a statement warning the public against two chemicals, commonly found in consumer and building products. 

In September 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned nineteen antimicrobial ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, in over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products based on insufficient evidence demonstrating their safety for long-term daily use and that they reduce the spread of illness and infection.

Many of those 19 chemicals have been in widespread use for decades, and many are still allowed in a number of other over-the-counter personal care products as well as in consumer and building products.

A community of over 200 scientists released a statement, called the Florence Statement, warning on the hazards of and lack of demonstrated benefit from common uses of two of the chemicals banned by the FDA, triclosan and triclocarban.

The two chemicals can be found in everything from clothing to common household products and building materials. According to the statement,  triclosan is present, as a preservative, in personal care products, such as body washes, shampoos and conditioners, deodorants, hand creams and toothpaste, while triclocarban is mostly in bar soaps.

The scientists say that the chemicals have been found to influence hormones, and are especially dangerous for pregnant women and to children. Also, the chemicals have an influence on the digestive tract and can increase antibiotic resistance. All this without enough research to prove their effectiveness when it comes to bacteria.

And the chemicals are not only dangerous for humans but they also bioaccumulate and are toxic to aquatic organisms, the scientists warn.

“Based on extensive peer-reviewed research, this statement concludes that triclosan and triclocarban are environmentally persistent endocrine disruptors that bioaccumulate in and are toxic to aquatic and other organisms. Evidence of other hazards to humans and ecosystems from triclosan and triclocarban is presented along with recommendations intended to prevent future harm from triclosan, triclocarban, and antimicrobial substances with similar properties and effects,” the scientists say in their statement.

The Florence statement calls for a correct labelling, so that users are informed regarding the presence and the levels of these chemicals in their products.

“Because antimicrobials can have unintended adverse health and environmental impacts, they should only be used when they provide an evidence-based health benefit. Greater transparency is needed in product formulations, and before an antimicrobial is incorporated into a product, the long-term health and ecological impacts should be evaluated,” the statement concludes.

There are also concerns over triclosan breaking down in other chemicals once exposed to UV rays, especially when it is present in beauty products.

While the FDA states that over-the-counter drugs have to include triclosan and triclocarban on their labels, the same it not true for cosmetic products, or other products that are not under FDA approval like clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and even toys.

Also, the EPA regulates the use of triclosan as a pesticide, and is in the process of updating its assessment of the effects of triclosan when it is used in pesticides.

In Europe, authorities note that triclosan has been used for over 40 years due to its effectiveness in killing microbes but in low concentrations, it can increase the resistance of bacteria. The EU Commission also ruled against triclosan in type 1 biocidal products which include washes and soaps.