Pesticides in your soap, toothpaste, toys and cosmetics? Oh, man!
Tell EPA it’s time to ban triclosan.

Did you know that the ingredient that makes most “antibacterial” consumer products antibacterial is actually a pesticide called triclosan? Triclosan is an active ingredient in a variety of household products including soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shaving cream, mouthwash, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer. It’s even present in consumer products such as toys, fabric, kitchen utensils and trash bags. Widespread use of this pesticide in consumer products is causing toxic pollution in our bodies and our waterways, and is contributing to rising rates of “superbacteria” that are resistant to antibiotics. And here’s the real kicker: studies show that triclosan-based antibacterial soaps are no more effective at preventing disease than washing with plain old soap and water. Toxic Free NC is working with 82 health and environmental groups to petition Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban triclosan from consumer products and to allow it only for use in medical settings. There’s a public comment period open on this petition right now. Take Action: Please take a moment to send a message to EPA in support of a ban on triclosan.

Help us take triclosan off the market! >> Learn more about triclosan on our blog, Fair Ground. >> Avoid triclosan in consumer products with this cheatsheet from Environmental Working Group. >> Tell EPA it's time to ban triclosan.

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Take Action: Submit a public comment to EPA supporting a ban on triclosan.

Update: Comment period extended to April 8! From now until April 8, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments on a petition from 82 public health and environmental groups – including Toxic Free NC – to ban the risky and ubiquitous antibacterial pesticide triclosan from use in consumer products.

Please take a moment to submit a comment to EPA in support of this petition. Here’s sample text you can use for your comment letter.

To submit your comments to EPA, you can visit the EPA website: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0548-0625

Note: If you submit your comment directly to the EPA site, leave all the fields on the left side regarding government agencies and organizations blank unless you are affiliated with a government agency. Just fill in the field on the right side with your comments and your contact information.

Or, you can submit your comments by mail:

Attn: EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0548-0625
Office of Pesticide Programs
Regulatory Public Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20460-0001

 

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Thank you for taking action! Please contact us at info@toxicfreenc.org or 919-833-1123 if you have any questions and to let us know if you're taking action.

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Sample talking points for public comment to EPA on triclosan

We’ve drafted this sample language for you to write your comments to EPA about banning triclosan. Please customize your letter however you like.

Re: Petition for a Ban on Triclosan. Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0548-0625

I am writing to support the petition for a ban on triclosan, as submitted by 82 health and environmental groups. Research shows that triclosan poses a threat to human health, contaminates water and persists in the environment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that triclosan concentrations are increasing in the human population.

Research links triclosan to a wide variety of health and environmental problems, including: endocrine disruption, bacterial resistance, contaminated biosolids that are used for compost and agricultural fertilizer, toxic and more persistent breakdown products including dioxins and other endocrine disruptors, and accumulation in plants, fish, and crustaceans.

Since triclosan is no more effective than regular soap and water at reducing illness and carries a host of risks for human health and the environment, there is no reason for triclosan to remain in widespread, non-medical use.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION]