Threat Seen From Antibacterial Soap Chemicals (chem buildup)

[donsu]

The compounds end up in sewage sludge that is spread on farm fields across the country.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-antibacterial10may10,1,5967599.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=1&cset=true

Tons of chemicals in antibacterial soaps used in the bathrooms and kitchens of virtually every home are being released into the environment, yet no government agency is monitoring or regulating them in water supplies or food.

About 75% of a potent bacteria-killing chemical that people flush down their drains survives treatment at sewage plants, and most of that ends up in sludge spread on farm fields, according to Johns Hopkins University research. Every year, it says, an estimated 200 tons of two compounds — triclocarban and triclosan — are applied to agricultural lands nationwide.

-snip-

FOR THE RECORD:
Antibacterial soaps:— An article in Wednesday's Section A about two chemicals in antibacterial soaps said triclocarban is an ingredient in toothpaste, some kitchen supplies and baby toys. It is triclosan that is used in those products. The article also said the chemicals could be accumulating in water. It is more accurate to say they are contaminating some water resources but not building up in them. The article also referred to microbes that might have reduced resistance to antibiotics. It should have said increased resistance.

-snip-

From dishwashing soaps to cutting boards, about 1,500 new antibacterial consumer products containing the two chemicals have been introduced into the marketplace since 2000. Some experts worry that widespread use of such products may be helping turn some dangerous germs into "superbugs" resistant to antibiotics.

-snip-

"What we are finding is this chemical is building up in the environment," Halden said. "This is an example of an emerging contaminant. It has been in the environment for almost five decades, and we manufacture large volumes of it, but we don't know what happens to it."
-snip-
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think on this: who makes money if we are always sick?

I've never used anything that had antibacterial on the label, and never will.

[Thtwudbeme]

1. I have never seen evidence that using the stuff keeps you healthier

Ever.

Oh, I hear lots of "I am afraid of germs" junk from people who passed college biology---but that's about it.

We have nothing antibacterial in this house--just lysol and bleach---regular old cleaners.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

2. just a note...

lysol and bleach are very good anti-bacterials...

sP

[Thtwudbeme]

4. Oh, I know. When dinosaurs roamed the earth, it's what we used to clean

the ambulance after a bad run.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

6. then why would you say

you will never use an antibacterial? That doesn't make sense...I can see it if you meant that you would never use "these antibacterials" but...well, guess I am just being picky...

sP

[Thtwudbeme]

7. You are just being picky, just like your grandfather was!

;) I sure do miss him--btw.

I meant "Those Particular Antibacterials Which Have Been Added to Popular Household Items and Cleaners in the Past Several Years."

[ProdigalJunkMail]

8. he believed in lye :-)

forgive... With the range of chemicals available to us today for everything from killing bacteria to getting an erection, I just don't know how to act any more...

sP

[Thtwudbeme]

9. I forgot to add Lye to my list

I believe in it too.

The good stuff in the red and white can that can kill a clog in 3 minutes...and makes your pipes feel all hot.

I believe our grandparents generation had the right ideas about a bunch of this stuff-

I do miss him, and am always glad to see you still posting. You have quite the shoes to fill!

Stephanie

[ProdigalJunkMail]

10. well, I don't know if I can ever fill those shoes

I am a little more hotheaded than he was, to be sure. I miss him, too. He was a unique individual, to be sure. I never thought I would still be posting here more than three years after his passing but something keeps me coming and asking for more.

Thanks for the reminder of him...his memory is starting to fade. Little things I can't remember any more are becoming more and more widespread.

subjectProdigal (aka GreatGrandsonofAllJunkMail)

[Thtwudbeme]

13. You would be surprised how many people here STILL remember

and think about your Granddad....My husband was one of the last people he responded to on DU-- I can't remember the thread--

You better keep coming back! Us old timers remember when you first got here!

;)

Steph

[ProdigalJunkMail]

17. I still go back to the archives from time to time

and read through the couple of threads that I started right after he passed. I still tear up at some of the responses...people who didn't know me or really even him and still saying such wonderful things. I am glad for the friends that I have made here and the perspective that I have gained in seeing things from the DU-view.

Don't worry, until I really tick off a Mod or one of the Admins, I will be sticking around!

:hug:

David

[Der Blaue Engel]

3. I've always known this was a bad idea

I never use the stuff, either.

Good ol' SOAP is just fine. Any doctor will tell you that the best way to avoid getting both bacterial and viral infections is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

[madrchsod]

5. peroxide,vinegar,alcohol,and bleach

is all anyone needs to disinfect anything in one`s house

[vireo]

14. Yep!

Separate applications of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide will do the job. I prefer to avoid chlorine containing products.

This article underscores the importance of maintaining organic standards, so we can keep this stuff out of our food.

[donsu]

11. what interests me is "1,500 new antibacterial products. . since 2000"

this seems planned. is it in PNAC?

and since 2000 all the new paper products like tolet cleaners, dusters, etc. - paper - remember all the Calif. fires and smirk let the lumber barons harvest the burned trees - viola, new paper cleaners. some even say all those fires were started on purpose.

[noonwitch]

12. I use the antibacterial handsoap

I work with little kids in the foster care system. They get everything that goes around-illnesses that they recover from in a day or two can knock me on my butt for a week (like Rotavirus did to me, a disease that allegedly adults can't catch). Since I started using the antibacterial soap, I have had less colds and viruses. It's difficult to chalk it up to that alone-I started taking vitamins around the same time.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

16. Use regular soap.

Antibacterial soap doesn't even work on colds and viruses.

[donsu]

20. just washing the hands more frequently had a lot to do with less sickness

nt

[oscar111]

15. GUMS.. what can kill bacteria in them?

Triclosan toothpaste helped for a few days.. now i read here , that is a problem to the fields etc.

Neosporin burned.. perhaps because the skin formulation tube of it is too strong for gums? Alcohol also burned.. seventy percent strength.

any thing else to try?

[donsu]

18. warm salt water sloshing frequently can get rid of a lot of it

nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. You can go to your dentist...

and get a prescription.

[donsu]

21. interesting how off track this thread went

nt

[vireo]

22. drug disposal is also a pollution problem

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/prescription_drug_disposal.htm

[The Stranger]

23. Forgotten the Recommend feature?

[donsu]

24. I'm not complaining just noting how the thread veered off and I added

to the veering.

two things seemed to spring from the article. how to clean without antibacterials and the 'why' of all these products showing up after 2000 coupled with our knowledge that big pharma barons want us unhealthy to keep their profits up. they can't live it up on healthy people.

[oscar111]

25. kik

kik