First Lady Nancy Reagan coined the phrase "Just Say No" in the 1980s, advocating that children "Just Say No" to Drugs. Now in the second decade of the 21st century, I propose the new slogan should be Just Say No to Triclosan.
Triclosan is common in antibacterial soap sold in most retail centers and estimated to be included in half of all hand soap sold. I was once fanatical about antibacterial soap, wanting no germs around my precious baby girls. I was buying Softsoap (TM) by the gallon at Costco. But news stories, such as the this New York Times story, have recently surfaced and led me to learn that triclosan is a registered PESTICIDE, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. What more, the University of Texas Student Government Body passed a resolution last month to ban the use of triclosan on campus. (Go Longhorns!) The body of scientific evidence continues to grow and hints that triclosan may be harmful to humans and aquatic species (probable carcinogen equals cancer and endocrine disruption relates to hormones and possibly reproduction issues).
At present I have switched to using Method (TM) hand soap, which is readily available and economical at Target. This company uses earth-friendly ingredients and designs their packaging to minimize plastic and waste. If you have other "green" soap recommendations, I want to hear from you!
