Join
the fight to ban triclosan!
Beyond Pesticides
is leading a campaign to ban the non-medical uses of one of the most prevalent
and dangerous antibacterial chemicals on the market: triclosan. Triclosan
has been linked to numerous health and environmental effects, such as
antibacterial resistance, endocrine disruption and the contamination of
fish, surface and drinking waters. Find out more about triclosan and how
you can protect yourself and your family by visiting the triclosan
page.
What are antimicrobials?
Antimicrobials are natural or synthetic substances which kill or inhibit
the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This
capability makes antimicrobials unique for the control of deadly infectious
diseases caused by a large variety of pathogenic bacteria.
There are more than
15 different classes of antimicrobials known that differ in chemical structure
and mechanism of action. They are historically used in medical settings
to combat infectious diseases. However, over the last 20 years, they have
been used increasingly in cosmetics, personal care products, in food processing,
on inanimate objects, clothing, and for the treatment of bacterial disease
in animals, fish, and plants.
Antimicrobials are
pesticides and must be regulated as such with the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the Federal Insecticides, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). There are more than 5000 antimicrobial pesticides
registered with the EPA. When used in or on the human body, however, antimicrobials
are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Antibacterials
Even though antimicrobial and antibacterial are often used interchangeably,
there are many antimicrobial substances on the market designed to work
specifically against bacteria. These are known as antibacterials.
Triclosan
- One antibacterial most debated is triclosan. Triclosan is a broad spectrum
pesticide found is a wide range of consumer products, including soaps
and toys. Despite its wide-spread use, its health and environmental impacts
are only now being studied. Triclosan is the focus of a campaign undertaken
by a coalition of health and environmental groups led by Beyond Pesticides,
aimed at removing triclosan from the market.
Nanosilver
- Another antibacterial agent under scrutiny is silver nanoparticles or
nanosilver. Silver nanoparticles are also found in a wide range of consumer
products like clothing, band-aids, and even washing machines. A recent
petition submitted by environmental groups call for urgent review of this
new technology.
With an increasing
number of scientific studies looking at these antibacterial substances,
two basic, yet important, questions arise: Are they safe for human health
and the environment? And are they necessary?
Antimicrobials
and Antibacterials