(no subject)

Everybody go look at your toothpaste/soap/face wash/etc. Does it have Triclosan (also known as Irgasan and Microban) in it? Then you'll want to read this. (It's a PDF file, so right click+save as if that'll be easier for you.)

Basically, scientists are saying that when Triclosan is exposed to sunlight or mixes with the chlorine molecules in tap water, it produces a chlorinated dioxin, which can build up (even small amounts are deadly) and is linked with weakening of the immune system, decreased fertility, altered sex hormones, birth defects, and cancer. By itself, it's v. similar to estrogen, causing androgenic effects in fish, causes a hypothermic effect and depression of the central nervous system in mice, and high levels thereof were found in 3 out of 5 breast milk samples tested.

A poison, basically. I found the site after a mention in an article in Discover magazine (which, if you're not familiar with it, is a quite reputable scientific magazine)

Check out the list on that page of some of the products that contain it (socks?!) if you are so inclined, so that you can avoid said ingredient.