The Star Tribune's March 11 editorial supporting state legislation to ban the ingredient triclosan — found in a number of antibacterial soaps and body washes — contributes to a parade of misinformation and distortion that we have sadly seen in Minnesota as of late.
Triclosan is the most reviewed and researched active ingredient used in antibacterial soaps and body washes. Antibacterial wash products with triclosan provide a key public health benefit by killing harmful germs on the skin that can make us sick (compared with non-antibacterial soap), as reported by 2011 research in the Journal of Food Protection.
Triclosan's use in antibacterial soaps is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Yet proponents of the legislative ban on triclosan seemingly forget or ignore this reality.
Instead of letting federal regulators do their job, the ban proponents would take safe, effective and beneficial products off the shelves of Minnesota grocery, convenience and drugstores — from large retail centers to your local mom-and-pop shop on the corner.
And, as written, the bill would remove antibacterial products with triclosan from medical facilities, restaurants, food-processing facilities and public restrooms.
Regrettably, some well-intentioned public health officials and legislators also have ignored the solid body of evidence about triclosan and antibacterial soaps.
Despite irresponsible claims to the contrary, regular use of antibacterial soaps with triclosan does not contribute to antibiotic resistance (as highlighted in a 2011 review of multiple studies that was published in the International Journal of Microbiology Research). Even the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has bluntly acknowledged: "There is no evidence that antibacterial soaps cause antibiotic resistance."
The levels of triclosan in Minnesota waters are safe. On those rare occasions when triclosan has been detected in drinking water, it has been found at a level 10,000 times lower than the level MDH has deemed to be safe for drinking.
