maynard Posted July 29, 2010 Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 Lawsuit: Antimicrobial Soaps Damage Reproductive OrgansThursday, July 29, 2010 A nonprofit environmental group has sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, claiming the agency failed to regulate toxic chemicals found in "antimicrobial" soap and other personal care products.The National Resources Defense Council alleges that two common ingredients, triclosan and triclocarban, can damage reproductive organs, sperm quality and the production of thyroid and sex hormones.According to the suit, which also names U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as a defendant, recent bio-monitoring results found "residues of triclosan in 75 percent of Americans over the age of 6."The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday. Representatives of the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment, saying it was a matter of policy not to comment on lawsuits.Plaintiffs contend that the FDA violated federal law in its delay over establishing safe conditions of use. More than 30 years ago, the agency first proposed to regulate such products for over-the-counter use, but they remain on the market and are unregulated, the group said."As a result of the FDA's lengthy delay, consumers remain exposed to triclosan and triclocarban through a variety of over-the-counter drug products, such as antimicrobial hand soaps, that proliferate on the market," the lawsuit stated.The suit seeks an order requiring the FDA to finish its study on the conditions of use by a specific deadline.No manufacturers or retailers were named as defendants or were cited in the lawsuit.The FDA said in April it was reviewing the safety of triclosan. It noted there was no evidence it could be harmful to people and did not recommend changing consumer use of products that contain the agent.POPULAR PRODUCTSThe popularity of antimicrobial products has grown in recent years and the products are increasingly found in homes and offices, where germs can easily be passed from person to person.The lawsuit cites various recent studies that associate the chemicals with a host of health risks, from lower thyroid hormone levels to the disruption of testosterone production.In 1978, according to the lawsuit, the FDA proposed to ban from interstate commerce both triclosan and triclocarban either six months or two years after publication of its final study, but no action was taken until 1994, when some ingredients were reclassified."Healthcare antiseptics containing these chemicals remained on the market and increased in prevalence" since 1994, the lawsuit said.The National ResourcesDefense Council said it had met with the FDA to try to hasten the study, to no avail.Responding to a letter from U.S. Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts in February, the FDA said it could not give a specific timeline, but said it was "working diligently" to publish the proposed rule. It also cited a lack of long-term data regarding potential health effects from exposure to the toxins.The case is National Resources Defense Council v. USDA et al, 10 CIV 5690. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators timm525 Posted July 29, 2010 Administrators Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 I can see versions of Batman all over again when the Joker poisoned the city with his Joker products. No one took showers or were using any deodorant or cosmetic products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maynard Posted July 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2010 I can see versions of Batman all over again when the Joker poisoned the city with his Joker products. No one took showers or were using any deodorant or cosmetic products. At least it wasn't the government for a change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.