Call for a ban on triclosan!

How many times a day do you wash your hands? What about doing dishes or brushing your teeth? Most of us do these things throughout the day. Unfortunately, many products like hand soap, toothpaste and dish soap contain a toxic chemical called triclosan. This chemical is being widely used in the U.S. despite evidence that it is a real and imminent threat to public and environmental health. Can you take action today to help ban this unnecessary chemical?

Many of us buy products containing triclosan, perhaps unknowingly, simply because chemical companies have marketed it in such a way to make us believe the product is more protective against illness. Triclosan products like soap, toothpaste, deodorant and makeup are often labeled as “antibacterial,” “antimicrobial,” “Microban” or “Biofresh.” Despite FDA expert advice that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soap and water in fighting illness, the dangerous substance is still allowed in too many consumer products.

One of the worst things about triclosan is it persists in the environment and is recognized, like BPA, as an endocrine disruptor — a substance that interferes with the body’s hormones. There have been massive recalls and new legislation to ban BPA in products like baby bottles and food containers, but there’s been very little done about triclosan, which could be just as damaging. We need Congress to take strong action to ban all non-medical uses of triclosan. Help protect your family by signing the petition to ban triclosan for non-medical uses today.