If you use Colgate Total the
answer is no. Total brand toothpaste contains the antibacterial triclosan, a
chemical currently under review in the U.S. because it is suspected of
contributing to all sorts of health and environmental problems.
The GreenScreenAssessment is a tool recently used by the Canadian Environmental Law
Association to assess the impact of antibacterial products on human health and
the environment. Based on the resulting report the Association called on the
Canadian government to ban antibacterials (triclosan and triclocarban). The
report says that the risks posed by these chemicals to human health and the
environment far outweigh the benefits.
The report comes
on the heels of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision to revisit the
use of these chemicals in the States. In particular, the agency has been
challenged on its 1997 approval of Colgate brand Total toothpaste, the only
toothpaste currently on the market that contains triclosan. Environmental
groups say the approval was made without any significant proof that the product
was even safe.
In Canada these
chemicals are everywhere.
Antibacterial soaps, facial tissue, toys, toothpaste.
According to CBC news, roughly 1600 products containing the chemicals are sold
in Canada. Companies are riding the wave of germ paranoia although there is no
evidence that these products are any better than simple washing with soap and
water (or using regular old toothpaste).
The problem comes
with the fact that these chemicals work their way into our bodies and
accumulate in the environment. They are popular in personal care products
and in turn get washed down the drain.
A Canadian
government review a couple of years ago found triclosan in consumer products
was not harmful to human health although it’s not certain on what data they
based their decision. The government did acknowledge that the chemicals could
be harmful to the environment so said they would discuss with industry a
voluntary reduction in use.
In the absence of
any meaningful regulation it’s up to consumers to avoid antibacterial products. Here’s
why you should take them off your shopping list:
- There are concerns that the triclosan and triclocarban are hormone disruptors, and specifically point to how they may interfere with thyroid hormone, which could lead to health issues like obesity, cancer, infertility and early puberty (linked to increased risk for breast cancer). There is also evidence that young children exposed to triclosan have a greater chance of developing allergies.
- There are concerns that the chemicals contribute to antibiotic resistance or the development of “super bugs). This worry is the basis of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s review.
- Human impacts are amplified in the environment since the chemical makes its way through sewerage treatment plants and accumulates in the environment.
Under the U.S.
government review companies using these chemicals have until 2016 to prove that
they are both safe and effective. With luck, the Canadian government will
follow suit.
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