Here’s the “dirty” secret about hand sanitiser – it may, in fact, be causing cancer.
Now, before dismissing this out of hand as another bit of alarmist nonsense, here’s what we know. Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences strongly suggests that long-term use of triclosan – an incredibly common antibacterial agent of which more later – may induce liver cancer, at least in mice and quite possibly humans.
“Triclosan’s increasingly broad use in consumer products may overcome its moderate benefit and present a very real risk of liver toxicity for people, as it does in mice,” warned Robert Tukey, co-author of said study and a professor at the San Diego School of Medicine in the University of California. Here’s his dubious “recipe” for coaxing cancer in mice: Do as Tukey and his colleagues did and rear your rats on triclosan-laced food for six months straight. You’ll find that your batch of rodents will be more prone to liver tumours, compared to a control group given a “clean” diet.
The scientists’ hunch: Specific liver proteins go haywire when doused in the chemical, causing a cascade of abnormal cell growth. This deduction dovetails with a disquieting body of evidence pointing to the toxicity of triclosan: It’s already been fingered as a dangerous disrupter of hormones.
Here’s the diciest bit: Triclosan is as common as it gets. Conduct a cursory scan of the ingredients label of any number of household items – detergent, disinfectants, plastic utensils, toothpaste and yes, hand sanitisers – and odds are the offending chemical will be there.
Throwing up your manicured mittens in horror? Here’s ace advice from Bruce D. Hammock, PhD, professor at the University of California, Davis: “We could reduce most human and environmental exposure by eliminating uses of triclosan that are high volume but of low benefit, such as inclusion in liquid hand soaps.”
Translation? Trash your triclosan hand sanitisers, which more often than not are alcohol-laden (read: dehydrating) and, as per the FDA, ineffective to boot. The most convincing nail in triclosan’s coffin, really, is the fact that the wheels have been set in motion to ban the chemical outright, such as a bill that was recently passed in Minnesota.
Don’t feel as if your hands are tied without sanitiser, though. The solution is elegant in its simplicity: Just revert to sudsing up with a good old fashioned bar soap, and keep your cuticles well conditioned by stashing a tube of hydrating cream in your cosmetics pouch.
Try Kenzoki’s softly scented Sensual Hands Balm, hands down one of the best for my money with its exotic blend of beneficial botanical butters and rejuvenating rice extracts.
Are we all good? Share this story with fellow hygiene freaks if you want to give it the thumbs up, and good luck!
Kenzoki Sensual Hands Balm, $20 for 50ml, is available at all Kenzo counters and at Sephora ION. For more information, visit www.kenzoparfums.com/nl/collection-kenzoki.