One of the most important facets of cleaning for home makers is getting rid of germs that hard working scrubbers believe lurk everywhere: sinks, bath tubs, toilets, cutting boards, counters. Well, we do need to be a bit concerned these days.
Salmonella on poultry and E. coli from ground beef can spread onto your kitchen counter tops or cutting boards causing food-born illnesses. And germs can build up in colonies of bad guys known as biofilms under caulking and in crevices of cutting boards. Black mold just might be around the corner, too.
We have to fight germs. But how do we do it is open to new debate.
Lets take triclosan and its dangers-it is a compound used in variety of products - from cleaning supplies to deodorants-to reduce and control bacterial contamination.
Triclosan contains benzene, that is a concern, because benzene is known to cause human cancer at the lowest doses measured. Triclosan also acts like estrogen in the environment and possibly in the human body, we also can see some antibiotic resistance with salmonella, one of the causes of food-borne illness.
This is a revelation, we don't really have or take the time to learn about the toxic effects of all chemicals.
Some of the effects of Triclosan have been well established. It definitely affects thyroid, stimulates breast cancer cells to multiply through an estrogen effect. And triclosan lowers natural killer cell activity, much like the pesticide DDT, to which it is related(both are chlorinated hydrocarbons). Much of that is know is experimental, but as we learn about the evidence and it grows there may well be additional reason for concerns.
Research at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shows that under normal household conditions, products containing triclosan react with chlorinated water to produce chloroform, a probable carcinogen and Washington D.C. is among cities with historic high levels of chlorinated water. The research found that all tested household goods - lotions, soaps, body wash containing triclosan produces either chloroform or other chlorinated byproducts.
Triclosan has received little attention to date from U.S. agencies charged with public health protection.
An FDA panel evaluated research on household use of antibacterial products, such as those containing triclosan, , they found no evidence that those using antibacterial products in their homes were healthier than those using soap and water and other typical cleansing products lacking specific antibacterial agents. The American Medical Association is concerned that increased use of antibacterial products in the homes will lead to the development of microbial resistance to antibiotic agents.
For most cleaning around the kitchen and home, studies show soap, vinegar or simply organic alcohol work as well or better.
The current system of chemical regulation in the U.S. is not designed to identify and act against chemicals of concerns that can harm the hormone systems of people, fish and wildlife. New legislation is an essential tool to safeguard Americans and our environment from hormone-disrupting chemicals.
In the meantime, it is up to us to read labels and look at the company behind the product. Triclosan is always disclosed on labels. The safer ingredients really do appear to be organic alcohol and vinegar and essential oils.
Look for truly green products by also insisting on full label disclosure. One true green company is Earth Friendly Products-their product line include dish soaps, home cleaners, all-purpose formulas, laundry detergents and they are all free of triclosan and all other dangerous chemicals, and they always provide full list of ingredients.
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