Ban chemicals ubiquitous in consumer products, report says

Canada should ban two antibacterial chemicals used in a host of consumer products and accumulating in the waters of the Great Lakes, a report issued Thursday said.

The report, from the Canadian Environmental Law Association, also suggested Canada, the United States and all provinces and states bordering the Great Lakes should prohibit use of the chemicals and assess proposed alternatives before they are used.

The chemical is found in numerous consumer products ranging from hand sanitizer to soap, deodorant, even toothpaste. And because its use is quite temporary, usually to wash hands, the chemical ends up going straight down the drain and ends up in the waterways.

The environmental law association says there is evidence that triclosan is building up in the great lakes and affecting the aquatic-life’s ability to survive. It’s pushing for Canada to ban this antibacterial chemical, as well as all states that border the great lakes, saying that people’s health is at risk.

Fe De Leon, Canadian Environmental Law Association: “Once it’s found in the lower part of the food chain, the more higher levels of fish species that rely on the lower forms depend on that. So if it’s building up there, it will eventually end up in the fish species at the higher end as well so eventually affecting human health.”

Is there a solution? The Canadian Environmental Law Association says there are — 16 simple alternatives could be adopted — using soap and water for cleaning hands, alcohol based products that don’t rely on triclosan — those are safer alternatives.

Agencies/Canadajournal