FDA REVIEWING SAFETY OF SURGICAL SCRUB TRICLOSAN

The FDA will continue its investigation into the safety of Triclosan, a chemical found in many houshold items. The FDA opened its investigation in April 2010, and announced that it will extend its assessment. Currently, the evidence remains insufficient to raise safety fears; however, the FDA also noted that there is no evidence of an added benefit than regular soap and water in the average household environment.

ABC; and the New York Times ran stories reporting that the FDA will continue its investigation into a well known houshold chemical, Triclosan.  Trislocan, which was developed forty years ago as a surgical scrub, is now being added to common houshold products, ranging from soaps to toothpaste—even though an added health benefit has not been demonstrated. The risk to the consumer is that Triscloan may disrupt hormone levels and even cause antibiotic resistance exposing the consumer to serious infections.

Dr. Stuart Levy, a professor of microbiology at Tufts University School of Medicine, who has conducted studies on triclosan's safety in household products, commented that, “It is a valuable product when used in hospitals to inhibit growth of organisms and has been shown to prevent infection in hospitals. ” He further stated though that, ” the use of the chemical in household products is not the place it should be used.” The FDA will continue to publish more information as the investigation continues.