Antibacterials, BPA linked to health problems

A new study links common antibacterial soap ingredient triclosan to allergy problems, and also links BPA to negative impacts on the immune system.

Tue, Nov 30 2010 at 5:41 PM

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Toxins & Chemicals, BPA, Triclosan

Photo: philipbouchard/Flickr

Many MNN readers have already done their best to remove the antibacterial chemical triclosan and endocrine disruptor BPA from their homes. Now comes a new study that’ll make you glad you’ve banished the chemicals. “Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and triclosan may negatively impact human immune function,” according to a University of Michigan study published in Environmental Health Perspectives this week.

As usual, the researchers behind the study note that more studies need to be done. Yet the findings from the study, which used the data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, found some troubling trends. NPR’s Shots summarizes the findings:

[The study] suggests kids with higher exposure to triclosan — which gets into our bodies via everything from antimicrobial soap to toothpaste to cutting boards — may cause them to be more frequently diagnosed with allergies.

Meanwhile, adults exposed to higher doses of Bisphenol A (BPA), which is found in many plastics like the linings of food cans and baby bottles, may also have trouble with their immune systems, the study finds.

Earlier this year, NRDC released a health report calling on the FDA to regulate triclosan and triclocarban. Last month, Canada declared BPA toxic. This week, the European Commission voted Nov. 25 to ban BPA from plastic baby bottles by the middle of next year.

We’re still waiting for action from the U.S. government.

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