San Francisco, California – Common antibacterial compounds pose health risks to pregnant women and their unborn child.
During pregnancy, women need urgent care every now and then since they are at high risks when exposed to substances, even with the common antibacterial compounds. It has become a growing concern among health experts and scientists, considering the welfare of the unborn child. The issue has now alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), whether to restrict the use of such substances.
Scientists and environmental experts are expected to discuss their research work during the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) 248th meeting and exposition, featuring 12,000 presentations on different scientific topics. ACS is the largest scientific society worldwide.
Doctor Benny Pycke, an Arizona State University (ASU) research scientist, along with colleagues, conducted urgent care clinics and clinical trials among women and their unborn child, identifying their exposure to triclosan and triclocarban. These substances are commonly used as germ-killers in everyday products such as soaps. Triclosan was found in urine samples of women, and some of the umbilical cord blood samples. Pycke emphasized such compounds were transferred to fetuses. Similarly, triclocarban was found in many clinical samples.
The findings indicated evidence that antibacterial substances could result to reproductive problems among women, and developmental issues among their fetuses. The same is true among animals, Pycke noted. The human body has the ability to flush out both substances, but a constant exposure to them could lead to antibiotic resistance.
Doctor Rolf Halden, lead researcher of the study said, cutting off the source of antibacterial substance exposure could lead to quick dilution. However, the use of such chemicals is universal, thus, exposure is likewise universal. Both antibacterial compounds are used in daily products such as soaps, paints, toothpaste, toys, and school supplies. They are marketed as antimicrobial products.
Doctor Laura Geer, another colleague and co-author of the study also claimed interesting results, indicating the link of butyl paraben to pregnant women. The substance is found mostly in cosmetics, although long-term effects have yet to be identified. Larger studies, perhaps in an urgent care clinic are needed for further findings.
The FDA, industries, and state policymakers have noticed the significant evidence against such substances. Corresponding agencies should take measures immediately and provide consumers with a sort of an urgent care near me policy in addressing the issue. Due to the alarming matter, industries like Procter & Gamble, as well as Johnson & Johnson has announced the elimination of such antibacterial compounds from their products.
