Triclosan is commonly found in everyday consumer products, ranging from toys to toothpaste. Research indicates that widespread use of triclosan causes a number of serious health and environmental problems.
We have until February 7, 2011, to let EPA know that triclosan must be banned in non-hospital settings to protect public health. Your voice is critical in petitioning to ban the hazardous antibacterial triclosan for non-medical use.
Please note: To enter a comment in the public docket, copy the letter below and paste it into the comment box or write your own, original comments. You may enter your personal information in the “contact” fields or leave those fields blank. If you sign your electronic comments, your name will be published in the EPA docket.
Sample Letter:
I am writing to support the concerns raised in the petition submitted by Beyond Pesticides and Food and Water Watch regarding the prevalence of the toxic pesticide triclosan in consumer products. Research has shown that triclosan poses a threat to human health, contaminates water, and persists in the environment. EPA has a responsibility under the law to protect the health of the public and the environment and must move to do so now. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds triclosan concentrations are increasing in the human population, and triclosan in consumer products is causing involuntary exposure directly and through environmental contamination. Triclosan has been linked to:
- endocrine disruption as it interferes with the thyroid, estrogen, and androgen hormones and as a result can impact fetal development
- bacterial resistance and possible cross-resistance to antibiotics
- contaminated biosolids that are used for compost and agricultural fertilizer
- toxic and persistent breakdown products including dioxins
Since triclosan is no more effective than regular soap and water at reducing bacteria, there is absolutely no need for triclosan to be incorporated into consumer products, given the potential human health hazards. Please move quickly to rid this chemical from consumer products.
TAKE ACTION NOW