Triclosan (2,4,4'-Trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether. ) is a common antibacterial agent.
It is contained in antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, plastics, and other products.

An article "Problems with Triclosan and Antibacterial Products", 2005, at GrinningPlanet.com says:
A study done in 2000 found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps--45% of all the soaps on the market--contain some type of antibacterial agent.

Studies have increasingly linked triclosan to a range of health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistant, and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems.
A 2012 study at UC Davis (see below) "test tube" experiments showed triclosan impaired the ability of isolated heart muscle cells and skeletal muscle fibers to contract.

Although the chemical structure of triclosan closely resembles certain estrogens, a study on a Japanese species of fish did not demonstrate estrogenic effects.

Recently, there have been a number of concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxin. Dioxin can be highly carcinogenic and can cause health problems as severe as weakening of the immune system, decreased fertility, altered sex hormones, miscarriage, birth defects, and cancer.

Trilosan hinders muscle contractions at a cellular level.
In "test tube" experiments, triclosan impaired the ability of isolated heart muscle cells and skeletal muscle fibers to contract. Anesthetized mice had up to a 25-percent reduction in heart function measures within 20 minutes of exposure to the chemical.
It also slowed swimming in fish and reduces muscular strength in mice, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Colorado.

The UC Davis research team has previously linked triclosan to other potentially harmful health effects, including disruption of reproductive hormone activity and of cell signaling in the brain.
See Chemical widely used in antibacterial hand soaps may impair muscle function :: UC Davis:.

In a 2008 article Triclosan: What You Can Do About It at Food & Water Watch, they list products with and without triclosan.

Examples of Products That Contain Triclosan:

Neutrogena Deep Clean Body Scrub Bar Clean & Clear Oil Free Foaming Facial Cleanser
Lever 2000 Special Moisture Response Bar Soap, Antibacterial Dawn Complete Antibacterial Dish Liquid
CVS Antibacterial Hand Soap Ajax Antibacterial Dish Liquid
Dial Liquid Soap, Antibacterial Bar Soap Colgate Total Toothpaste
Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap Right Guard Sport Deodorant
Cetaphil Gentle Antibacterial Cleansing Bar Old Spice Red Zone, High Endurance and Classic Deodorants
Clearasil Daily Face Wash Vaseline Intensive Care Antibacterial Hand Lotion
  • Support Companies That Do Not Use Triclosan

Examples:

CleanWell Paul, Organic
LUSH Dr. Bronner, Magic Soaps
Nature, Gate Tom, of Maine
Vermont Country The Natural Dentist
Naked Soap Works Listerine Essential Care
MiEssence Peelu
Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer Weleda
Ivory Toxic Free Basics

Links:
The Ubiquitous Triclosan A common antibacterial agent exposed by Aviva Glaser
FDA says studies on triclosan, used in sanitizers and soaps, raise concerns

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last updated 28 Sep 2012