11°c A few clouds
18°c Sunny
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
NY court reinstates environmentalists' lawsuit that claims soap chemical could be dangerous
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Environmental activists can try to prove a chemical found in some soaps is potentially dangerous and the Food and Drug Administration is failing to regulate it, a federal appeals court said Friday.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit of Appeals in Manhattan reinstated a lawsuit by the Natural Resources Defence Council against the FDA over its failure to finalize its regulation of triclosan, a chemical used in antibacterial soap, toothpaste and other consumer goods. The FDA has said it is looking into animal studies suggesting triclosan can disrupt hormone levels.
A three-judge panel of the appeals court said the council's evidence establishes that triclosan is potentially dangerous and that at least one of its members is frequently exposed to soap containing it. The court did not reinstate the group's claims regarding another chemical, triclocarban.
The group's evidence shows triclosan may be harmful, that the FDA is unable to determine if it is and that the FDA's failure to regulate lets triclosan enter the market without its safety being confirmed, the 2nd Circuit wrote.
In ruling, the appeals court noted that even the FDA concedes it is concerned about the long-term effects of triclosan exposure and tells consumers that it has no evidence that soap containing triclosan provides extra health benefits over soap and water, though it also reassures consumers that triclosan "is not currently known to be hazardous to humans."
Government lawyers had no comment and a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defence Council said she was unable to comment.
The environmental group supported its claims by relying in part on the statements of Diana Owens, a veterinary technician who washes her hands more than 50 times a day when she is working at an animal clinic. The court said Owens worried she had a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer and was concerned about the hormone-disrupting effects of triclosan.
A lower court judge tossed out the case, concluding that those worried about triclosan could buy antimicrobial-free soap instead and bring it to their workplace.
But the appeals court said there was no "genuine dispute that triclosan is potentially harmful," and the environmental group had offered evidence showing triclosan has endocrine-disrupting properties, easily absorbs into the bloodstream and may contribute to the growth of cancer.
More Business
- Back to Top
- Return to Business
Poll
Most Popular Business
- New owner for lumber stores
- Microsoft reveals Xbox One as all-in-1 entertainment console, last of 3 major systems unveiled
- Creative industries can fuel a city's economic engine
- Housing slowdown to worsen, cost 150,000 jobs, says mortgage group
- Emerging economies seen as key
- German software firm SAP to recruit hundreds of people with autism for specialist positions
- Ex-Ford Motors executives charged in tortures of union workers during Argentina's dictatorship
- Manitoba Movers
- North American markets climb on gold, energy gains and positive Fed speeches
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Mounties say crooks passing fake polymer bank notes in British Columbia
- Holiday pump jump debated
- 2 men arrested in killing of Las Vegas teen who refused to give up his iPad
- Microsoft reveals Xbox One as all-in-1 entertainment console, last of 3 major systems unveiled
- Creative industries can fuel a city's economic engine
- New owner for lumber stores
- Bridging the gap
- Apple uses companies outside US to avoid paying billions in taxes, Senate inquiry finds
- Chinese court sentences entrepreneur to death in latest crackdown on underground banking
- Ex-'Pegger seeks to grow local businesses
- Target opens its first Manitoba stores Tuesday
- New structure to be king of downtown?
- Transcona transformation
- Target opens Manitoba stores
- Mounties say crooks passing fake polymer bank notes in British Columbia
- City to get a touch of glass
- Canad Inns property has personal meaning for owner
- Holiday pump jump debated
- Border-fee idea doesn't fly
- Local boy leads Great-West
- New owner for lumber stores
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Bridging the gap
- German software firm SAP to recruit hundreds of people with autism for specialist positions
- Ex-'Pegger seeks to grow local businesses
- Boreal Forest conservation negotiations end in failure after three years
- Portage, Winnipeg law firms join forces
- There are lots of I's in 'team'
- Canadian telecom company Telus signs deal to buy Mobilicity for $373 million
- Experts urge buyers to take precautions when buying used cars and trucks
- New owner for lumber stores
- Ex-'Pegger seeks to grow local businesses
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Bridging the gap
- Late deal in workplace sex-harassment case
- Diversification spurs Exchange Income's growth
- More than a new boss
- Transcona transformation
- Viterra plans $20 million capacity upgrade at four Saskatchewan grain terminals
- There are lots of I's in 'team'
- Transcona transformation
- New owner for lumber stores
- New structure to be king of downtown?
- CEO, execs terminated at TCIG
- Target opens its first Manitoba stores Tuesday
- Canad Inns property has personal meaning for owner
- Winnipeg's got the REIT stuff
- Older and jobless? Resource on hand
- Winnipeg Boeing plant set to expand
- Local boy leads Great-West
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.