Triclosan Found in Dolphins

We’ve got some disturbing news. Researchers have reported that triclosan was found in the blood of bottlenose dolphins. This goes to show that the consequences of overusing a pesticide like triclosan are incredibly far-reaching and dangerous.

It is well known that marine mammals, forced to swim in polluted waters, become contaminated with persistent organic pollutants. Triclosan, an antibacterial compound commonly used in personal care products including hand soaps and dish detergent, has made its way down drain and into dolphins living in US coastal waters. The study, which appears in this month’s Environmental Pollution, examined dolphins from rivers, an estuary, a harbor and a lagoon in South Carolina and Florida. Blood samples from wild bottlenose dolphins found within an estuary in Charleston, South Carolina and in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida in 2005 were analyzed for triclosan. Triclosan was detected in 31 and 23 percent of the animals from the two sites.

As we wash our hands (or dishes, or clothing, etc.) with soaps containing triclosan, it eventually enters wastewater. While most harmful residue is removed during the treatment process, triclosan persists in waterways and is one of the most commonly found contaminants in river and estuary sediment downstream of treated water outfalls.

Next time you’re shopping, keep in mind the possible effects your choices have on the world. If we continue on the same irresponsible path, who knows what the effects of triclosan in our environment will be 10 or 20 years from now? And take a minute to educate your friends and family about this issue.

For more information about triclosan, read The Trouble with Triclosan.

Food & Water Watch is an organization dedicated to the belief that the public should be able to count on our government to oversee and protect the quality and safety of food and water. For more information, go to www.foodandwaterwatch.org.

By Kathy Dolan, Food & Water Watch

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Susan W.

12:02AM PST on Nov 29, 2011

I knew we overused anti-bacterial soaps which is bad for us but i didn't know triclosan was being found in dolphins until i read this article. I feel bad knowing i have probably contributed to the problem somewhere in waters where i live.

Triclosan needs to be banned.

send a green star

Brenda T.

3:47AM PDT on Sep 24, 2011

We must cut down on the use of these pesticides. All nature is at risk!

KS G.

5:01AM PST on Feb 14, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Sebastian J.

6:25AM PDT on Nov 1, 2010

The part of my earlier comment that was cut off ( the danger of cut and paste is there's no word count!) follows:

For those who wish, here is a link to a Care2 page on which there are a couple videos regarding the Ocean Trash nightmare. there are also encouraging links about Action - mostly from Europe, of course.).

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/plastic-from-oceans-used-to-make-vacuum-cleaners.html

6:19AM PDT on Nov 1, 2010

This is much more than just"disturbing, seen in the light of other environmental disasters, like Ocean Trash. A video on you tube showed vast areas of the the pacific ocean - I believe 10 Million square miles " bigger than the continental U.S., in any case - to be heavily littered with plastic trash. these contaminants are killing marine life, outnumbering plankton, and undoubtedly entering the food chain.

the point? The trash nightmare had its beginning as a small step - like the antibacterial poison now found in dolphins. just as we will never be able to cleanse the ocean from our garbage, so, too, we will never be able to rid the ocean of triclosan.

our only hope is to STOP the use of unreclaimable and toxic products.

Very sadly, the "humane" and caring points don't make it: greed, laziness, coupled with callousness - these more common human aspects must be addressed politically. preferably to Business and the Production side. ( The bitter truth is that when we invoke the "humane" approach, Business immediately suspects our motive will be at cross-purposes with profiteering - and this is so often the case. ). I would argue in terms of poisons and the Human food chain, and either Not me mentioning the poor animals, or pandering to business's cynicism by mentioning the Humane part almost as an afterthought. a kind of " ... and it makes good business sense - good PR."

( For those who wish, here is a li

Bon L.

5:30AM PDT on Nov 1, 2010

Thanks for the info.

leyna s.

10:50AM PDT on Oct 31, 2010

SO SAD! STOP PESTICIDES!

Past Member .

10:50AM PDT on Oct 26, 2010

Thank you for that 411! We do need to be careful of anything we consume for ourselves and our animal friends. Castile soap is a miracle product try some for so many uses, its pure and gentle and really works!

NO EMAILS P.

12:14AM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

thankyou

Astika B.

1:08AM PDT on Sep 1, 2010

thats so sad!!!!