Recently, multiple parties have alleged that antibacterial agents commonly found in soaps, hand sanitizers, and cleaning products could be causing more than harm than good. Now, a study finds that triclosan, a common antibacterial agent, could slow fetal development.
The study was published earlier this month online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. In the study, researchers tested the effects triclosan on fetus development by using embryonic stem cells from human placentas harvested after cesarean sections.
The researchers found that after exposure to triclosan, the stem cells showed significant decreases in enzymes crucial to fetal development which may contribute to “jeopardizing development of the growing fetus.” Similar effects studied in mice have led to low birth weight and a higher likelihood of hypertension and diabetes later in life.
Experts have long feared that overexposure to triclosan could deplete the body’s ability to respond to antibiotics and make people more vulnerable to “super bugs”. In April 2010, theFDA published a document warning consumers about possible health threats linked to triclosan. The chemical has been linked to muscle damage, increased risk of liver disease, and even a higher likelihood of developing cancerous tumors.
Antibacterial cleaners and other triclosan products are heavily marketed based on claims that they help consumers keep their families healthy, when studies have actually shown the opposite may be the case. When trusting consumers are injured by using products that are unsafe, they can file product liability lawsuits demanding compensation for their damages. To learn more about triclosan lawsuits, contact a personal injury lawyer to schedule an informative consultation and review of your claim.
