Triclosan, an Antibacterial Chemical, Raises Safety Issues - NYTimes.com

Triclosan, an Antibacterial Chemical, Raises Safety Issues - NYTimes.com: The maker of Dial Complete hand soap says that it kills more germs than any other brand. But is it safe?
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Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Triclosan stands out on the label of Dial Complete. That question has federal regulators, consumer advocates and soap manufacturers locked in a battle over the active ingredient in Dial Complete and many other antibacterial soaps, a chemical known as triclosan.
The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the safety of the chemical, which was created more than 40 years ago as a surgical scrub for hospitals. Triclosan is now in a range of consumer products, including soaps, kitchen cutting boards and even a best-selling toothpaste, Colgate Total. It is so prevalent that a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the chemical present in the urine of 75 percent of Americans over the age of 5.