Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Quantum_Vaccuum on 29/09/2007 20:56:10
-
I heard that in all antibacterial soap, there is Tricolsan, and it can be harmful for the body, and doesn't kill all bacteria unless its on your skin for 2.5 min, why is this true, and how is it harmful for the human body?
Mod edit - formatted the subject as a question. Please try to do this to help keep the forum tidy and easy to navigate - thanks!
-
Studies have shown that triclosan can combine with chlorine in our tap water to make chloroform gas. The EPA classifies this gas as a probable human carcinogen…you like brushing your teeth with chloroform gas? One study even showed that triclosan was broken down into dioxins in river water (link to the study) because of the presence of sunlight. So mixing this wonderful chemical with water, either inside or outside of the house, results in toxins thought to be carcinogenic to us humans (and probably other creatures)…sounds perfectly safe, right?
http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/08/21/what-is-tricolsan-and-why-you-should-avoid-it/
-
Dear me! Where did you find that?
Chloroform is a liquid, not a gas.
It's a by-product of chlorinating water anyway because most water naturally contains methane. The possible quantity of chloroform that could be produced from triclosan is tiny. I'd not like to have to measure it, or even prove it exists.
The time taken to kill the bugs probaly relates to the fact that some of them are hidden in the hair folicles- until the triclosan diffuses down to them it can't kill them.
Technically I guess triclosan is toxic- but so is everything else.
I rather doubt that a single human death has ever been atributed to the stuff.
If it caused harm the abmulance chasing lawyers would get it taken off the market.