21 Jun 2017

Call to curb use of anti-bacterial chemicals

From Afternoons, 2:10 pm on 21 June 2017

More than 200 scientists and medical professionals have called on the US Food and Drug Administration to restrict the use of anti-bacterial chemicals in personal care products.

Last year, the FDA banned 19 chemicals found in hand and body soap. And now the call is for the chemicals triclosan and triclocarban to be restricted. Saying they may be used in thousands of personal care and consumer products as well as in building materials.

Environmental toxicologist, Louis Tremblay, of Nelson's Cawthron Institute says the chemicals are not just bad for humans, but damaging the environment as well.

Louis Tremblay - Ecotoxicologist

Louis Tremblay - Ecotoxicologist Photo: Cawthron Institute