Dioxins Downriver

According to a study in the May 18, 2010 issue of Environmental Science and Technology, Mississippi River sediment tested downstream from Minneapolis-St. Paul contains increasing portions of four dioxins derived from the antibacterial agent, triclosan. A ubiquitous antimicrobial used in products such as hand soap, deodorant and dishwashing liquid, triclosan and its chlorinated derivatives (formed during wastewater treatment) are discharged into the environment where sunlight converts some of the triclosan into dioxins. Triclosan is linked to hormonal problems and may contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics

Article posted by Scott Shreve
on Tuesday June 29th, 2010.