Post by Bob on Dec 18, 2006 14:07:23 GMT -5
In the 3 November edition of Living on earth:
Triclosan is probably best known as the bacteria-fighting ingredient in liquid soap, although it's also used in everything from toothpaste to hot tubs to trash bags. But now some scientists are telling us that minute amounts of triclosan - amounts found in the majority of America's streams and rivers - can be enough to disrupt thyroid function in frogs, and perhaps humans. The brain is a very very sensitive organ for thyroid hormone action; especially during early development around the birth period. And also through out life in adolescence and in adulthood the brain is very dependent on proper levels of thyroid hormone. So even though there are some obvious difference between frogs and people the fundamental biology is very very similar. And thyroid hormone is the exact same chemical in frogs compared to humans.
Who knows how many of the "generally recognized as safe" chemicals in our everyday products will eventually turn out to be carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, etc.? It's worth the time and effort to make changes as you go along, to reduce the amount YOU put into the environment and the demand for these chemicals from the manufacturers.
Triclosan is probably best known as the bacteria-fighting ingredient in liquid soap, although it's also used in everything from toothpaste to hot tubs to trash bags. But now some scientists are telling us that minute amounts of triclosan - amounts found in the majority of America's streams and rivers - can be enough to disrupt thyroid function in frogs, and perhaps humans. The brain is a very very sensitive organ for thyroid hormone action; especially during early development around the birth period. And also through out life in adolescence and in adulthood the brain is very dependent on proper levels of thyroid hormone. So even though there are some obvious difference between frogs and people the fundamental biology is very very similar. And thyroid hormone is the exact same chemical in frogs compared to humans.
Who knows how many of the "generally recognized as safe" chemicals in our everyday products will eventually turn out to be carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, etc.? It's worth the time and effort to make changes as you go along, to reduce the amount YOU put into the environment and the demand for these chemicals from the manufacturers.
