The compound most common in antibacterial products triclosan has been used for 35 years and is becoming more prevalent in household products. It’s also showing up in breast milk.

Most antibacterial products are disposed of down residential drains and the environmental impact is not pretty. “According to Mike Layton, program manager with advocacy group Environmental Defence, triclosan can react to chlorine in drinking water and form chloroform, which is a carcinogen. And when triclosan reacts with light, it can actually form poisonous dioxins, he says.”

Where are these compounds found?

“There are hundreds of products that contain triclosan nowadays, with everything from liquid soaps and toothpastes to deodorants, clothing, tissues and toys. Beyond Pesticides, a non-profit organization in the United States, has an extensive list of everyday products containing triclosan, such as Colgate Total, Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant, Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel and J Cloth towels.”

Well, that’s frightening.

What do you use instead of antibacterial products? Yell it out!

Elizabeth Ulion is a graduate student at Northwestern University.