Key Hand Sanitizer Ingredient May Cause More Harm than Good

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/02/07

Triclosan can impair thyroid function, upset estrogen and testosterone levels, and promote problems that could interfere with fetal development.

Every year, U.S. consumers spend an estimated $1 billion on household and personal care products to shield themselves from a host of unseen germs. Yet many items marketed for their so-called "anti-bacterial" properties contain an ingredient perhaps more insidious than the microorganisms they're designed to combat: triclosan.

Invented by the chemical company Ciba in the 1960s to kill germs in medical settings, triclosan now appears in an array of popular hand-sanitizers, soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, cosmetics, clothing, and children's toys. Yet a mounting body of scientific evidence shows that the chemical is no more effective at killing germs than plain soap and water. And it may cause more harm than good.

While triclosan has been shown to kill most of the bacteria it encounters, both good and bad, bacteria that survive emerge stronger and thus harder to eradicate. Triclosan can also irritate skin and it has been linked to higher rates of allergies and hay fever among children. Lab studies have found that triclosan can impair thyroid function, upset estrogen and testosterone levels, and promote problems that could interfere with fetal development.

More at the link --

[hedgehog]

1. We used to literally bathe in hexachlorophene ; now it's prescription only.

[slackmaster]

8. Yes, it's not even normally used in pre-surgical cleansers

I remember occasionally taking PhisoHex showers when I was a kid. (My dad and his brother were medical doctors.)

[davidinalameda]

2. I won't use the stuff

I'll wash my hands using ordinary soap and water

[xxqqqzme]

15. As do I.

That crap leaves my hands feeling sticky, like I just dipped them in sugar water. I have a little packet of wipes in my back pack but I have only used one or two when it was absolutely necessary (no soap and water nearby). I remember George Carlin doing a rant on the OCD of 'germ-free' that was to the point.

[Frustratedlady]

3. I used it when a family member's immuno system was not functioning correctly...

My hands were cracked and bleeding. I switched to soap and we got along just fine.

It was harsh.

[Erose999]

4. I remember reading that Howie Mandell killed all of his antibodies with hand sanitizer. When he

finally left his OCD hideout and touched a doorknob in the real world, he got really, really sick.

[Maine-ah]

10. sorry for the fox link...but it's in here.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580846,00.html

and his book


http://www.amazon.com/Heres-Deal-Dont-Touch-Me/dp/0553807862

[Statistical]

5. Must not be universal. I check two bottles neither one has triclosan.

One has good ole alcohol the other has Benzalkonium Chloride (whatever the hell that is).

[lapislzi]

6. Our mothers said we needed to eat a pound of dirt

Don't get me wrong; I never gave my daughter a dirt sandwich. But nor do I run around with the Clorox/antibacterial wipes. I use regular old soap and detergent in the kitchen and bathroom.

I never take antibiotics unless a doctor says, "you have THIS and it's going to respond to THAT." I don't think I've taken an antibiotic in 10 years or more. If my daughter gets a cold, I let it run its course for a week before taking her to the doctor--and she almost never needs the doctor.

And I never get sick. Everyone in my office could be coughing up their lungs and I don't even get a sore throat.

[Raine]

19. When I was a toddler I was sick all the time

and my mother asked the doctor why I was sick so much. The doctor told her that she kept me too germ free and that she should not keep me so sterile etc. After that I never got sick very much and I still don't. Like you I also lay off the antibiotics. I have rarely taken them, could probably count the times on one hand and still have a finger or so left over.

[pnwmom]

7. I think most of the popular ones rely on alcohol rather than triclosan.

But it's something to watch out for.


This is about the ingredients in Purell, one of the name brands.

http://www.prodhelp.com/purell/content/faq.htm#q28

1. What is the active ingredient?
Ethyl alcohol, 62% - "mother nature's disinfectant." According to the American Journal of Infection Control, Aug. 1995, "Alcohols applied to the skin are among the safest known antiseptics."

2. What are the inactive ingredients used in Purell® products?
Denaturant/bittering agent - small amount of Isopropyl Alcohol, Moisturizers derived from plant materials, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Thickener - Carbomer Fragrance

[slackmaster]

9. Plain soap and water works just fine. I never use hand sanitizers.

I do wash my hands about 10-12 times per day.

[SoCalDem]

11. soap-water-hands..rinse repeat

Almost everywhere we go there is water & soap available.

If you fear shaking hands, just don't do it.
fear doorknob germs? carry a tissue in your pocket for times when you cannot just "forearm-push" the doors open.

Keep the surfaces you come into contact with, clean, and you'll probably be fine.

Germ-phobias are only introducing more and more chemicals into our lives..

[treestar]

12. I just use them where there is no access to soap and water

That's what they are for. I guess there's no way to tell if they do much good or not.

[pipi_k]

13. I only use the stuff when absolutely necessary...

like when I've been in a store or bank and used the ATM.

I HAVE to clean my fingers off or feel absolutely filthy.

Most of the time I use the wrapped alcohol wipes Mr P gets for as part of his diabetes care. Easy to tote around in purse or wallet. They're small, but can still clean the tips of fingers.

I also have some small soap sheets for when I want to wash in a public bathroom and there is NO SOAP. Yech. I just love the signs...."Employees must wash hands before returning to work". Yeah. No soap. :puke:


At home I use plain old soap and water.

[tammywammy]

14. That's why when I purchase soap or hand sanitizer

I make sure there's no triclosan in it. The hand sanitizer I keep at my desk has alcohol in it.

[rbixby]

16. How did we ever survive without hand sanitizer??!?!?!

I think that so many people are so germophobic, I feel like not allowing yourself to be exposed to anything also prevents you from building up any immunities to things you encounter in your environment every day. I never use hand sanitizer (but yes, I do wash my hands when they get dirty, before preparing food, etc), and I'm hardly ever sick. I don't know, I don't feel like I'm going to die if my environment isn't sterile. I think a lot of this stuff is mostly aimed at marketing products to people who ordinarily wouldn't even worry about this sort of thing.

[tabbycat31]

18. pure marketing

I mean the stuff has it's time and place. I do carry it with me in my purse and have a bottle in my car for when I need it in an instant.

When I would volunteer with the SPCA for example we had to use hand sanitizer before handling another animal. I know those who work in the health care field are required to use it.

But this whole germophobia thing is just way too blown out of proportion. I was raised playing outside and making mudpies. I was not a sick child (I had the typical childhood colds, etc but I never was very sick).

My friend was raised by a mom who sprayed everything with Lysol and never played outside much as a child. The girl is forever getting sick. I think she needs to lay off the Purell and live life a little and maybe she would not be so sick all the time.

[Raine]

20. Totally agree

naturally a person doesn't want to have dirty filthy hands but getting paranoid over germs will really ruin your life. The manufacturers of these products would like nothing better than to have everyone scared to death of a single germ.

[WolverineDG]

17. soap & water, plus towel-dry = better nt

[Liquorice]

21. There's a new hand soap called Method that doesn't have it. It smells great too. nt