Warning Over Common Chemical Found in Hand Sanitizers

Triclocarban, an antibacterial agent used in many hygiene products like hand sanitizers and deodorants, is a chemical compound that has become so widespread it now appears in wastewater samples. 

And while the FDA banned a related compound, triclosan, after it was shown in animal studies to cause health problems, that still appears in many other products like toothpastes, moisturizers, and even toys and clothes, since it hasn't been regulated by the EPA, per Quartz. 

And now researchers out of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are reporting in the journal PLOS ONE that, at least in mice, triclocarban (TCC) passes through the placenta and breast milk to developing fetuses and newborns and causes issues such as larger infants and metabolic issues.

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