New concerns about triclosan, a common antibacterial agent, have caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to re-examine the health effects of the additive, reports the CBC.
Earlier this year, the FDA announced that animal testing had indicated a possible disruption to the hormone system caused by triclosan. Previous tests have shown that triclosan use contributes to the development of "superbugs" and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Originally developed for hospitals, triclosan has seen a recent surge in home use – found in everything from toothpaste to bedding. The U.S. Center for Disease Control found a 42 percent increase in triclosan use between 2003 and 2006.
The FDA currently states that triclosan is not known to be hazardous to humans, and due to a lack of sufficient safety evidence, they do not currently suggest consumers avoid using products containing the chemical. They do point out, however, that there is no evidence of these antibacterial products having additional health benefits over soap and water.
Meanwhile, countries in the European Union have banned the use of triclosan in products that may come into contact with food, while closer to home, Health Canada recommends against using antibacterial soaps and products because they contribute to antibacterial resistance, as well as killing even the good bacteria that help fight germs.