More Reason to Clean Green: New Findings on Endocrine Disruptors in Soaps

Y’all know that clean can be chemical-free but there’s more research that has proven the health hazards with chemicals in soaps. A new UC Davis study has found a common antibacterial chemical in bath soaps to alter hormonal activity in rats and human cells in a new way not found before. The culprits once again are endocrine disruptors – compounds that mimic human hormones and are responsible for health problems like cancer, reproductive disorders and birth defects.

The UC Davis study

is the first endocrine study to investigate the hormone effects of the antibacterial compound triclocarban (also known as TCC or 3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanilide), which is widely used in household and personal care products including bar soaps, body washes, cleansing lotions, wipes and detergents. Triclocarban-containing products have been marketed broadly in the United States and Europe for more than 45 years; an estimated 1 million pounds of triclocarban are imported annually for the U.S. market.

The researchers found two key effects: In human cells in the laboratory, triclocarban increased gene expression that is normally regulated by testosterone. And when male rats were fed triclocarban, testosterone-dependent organs such as the prostate gland grew abnormally large.

The new study was published online this week, Triclocarban enhances testosterone action: A new type of endocrine disruptor?

More:

• Clean means chemical exposure for nurses
• The Info You Need on Endocrine Disruptors

Via ENN