Consumer Risk of Triclosan and Timeline of Senator Markey's Work
Despite serious questions regarding the safety and effectiveness of two common antimicrobial chemicals, triclosan and triclocarban, they are commonly used in a range of consumer products from soaps to socks. In light of mounting scientific evidence that have shown these chemicals to be present in US waterways with the ability to damage the human endocrine system and increase antibiotic resistance, Senator Edward J. Markey, former Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the two federal agencies responsible for regulating the use of these chemicals in consumer products.
Senator Markey wrote to major manufacturers urging them to a voluntarily stop using these chemicals which are estimated to be in approximately 50% of all consumer soaps as well as a wide variety of other consumer products—including some marketed specifically for children. These letters were sent one week after the FDA issued a consumer advisory about the use of the chemical, stating that “triclosan added to soaps and body washes provide no more health benefits than plain soap and water."
- June 10, 2011: Markey Statement on HHS Report on Carcinogens
- Feb 2, 2011: Markey Statement on Toxic Chemicals in Drinking Water EPA Announcement
- December 22, 2010: MARKEY PRESSURES FDA, EPA FOR FASTER ACTION ON TRICLOSAN
- Letters to the FDA and EPA
- APRIL 13, 2010: MARKEY URGES MAJOR COMPANIES TO REMOVE TRICLOSAN FROM CONSUMER SOAPS, OTHER PRODUCTS
- Example Letter to CEOs
- Responses from CEOs
- APRIL 8, 2010: MARKEY URGES BAN ON ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMICAL IN CONSUMER SOAPS, FOLLOWING FDA CONCERNS
- FEBRUARY 25, 2010: MARKEY: WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO KEEP OUR DRINKING WATER SAFE
- JAN. 5, 2010: MARKEY URGES EPA, FDA TO TAKE CLOSER LOOK AT CHEMICALS USED IN ANTI-MICROBIAL SOAPS
