Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical that was originally created for hospitals to use as a sterilizer prior to surgery. Recently, it has been added to a wide range of soaps and other household cleaners, which then often advertise the “antibacterial” properties of the product and may claim that the triclosan-containing cleaner even kills more germs than washing with non-triclosan-containing cleaner. After research studies indicated that excessive triclosan exposure might cause serious long-term illness, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have begun taking a harder look at triclosan and its effects on human health.
Recent studies have indicated that triclosan causes thyroid problems in frogs and can cause sex hormone changes in other animals, which may increase the risks of certain cancers or other diseases. Some data also supports the conclusion that disease-causing bacteria may become resistant to triclosan and other antibiotics, making them much more difficult to treat.
Triclosan is a common ingredient in “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial” products like hand soap, dish soap, and cleaning supplies. It is also included in some kinds of toothpaste, since the FDA has approved the use of triclosan to treat gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. Too much exposure to triclosan, however, has not conclusively been proven safe, leading the FDA to consider new regulations and leading some product manufacturers to re-formulate their products without triclosan.
Exposure to dangerous or unnecessary antibacterial products can result in serious harm. If you have suffered or been injured due to a defective product, the experienced product liability lawyers in Chattanooga at Massey & Associates, P.C. can help protect your rights while working to hold negligent parties accountable for your suffering. For more information, call us today at (423) 396-0720.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
