WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) -- The jury is still out on triclosan, a
common antibacterial ingredient. A study suggests the compound
may cause a reduction in heart function and muscle strength.
Triclosan was recently found to be harmful in a study published
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. However,
the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) released a statement in
response to the study, stating that "media reports and analysis
of a new research paper are distorting the real world safety and
everyday use of the antibacterial ingredient." The researchers
from the University of California and the University of Colorado
based their conclusion off of negative reactions in mice.
According to ScienceNews.org, the researchers first tested mice
with less than 1 percent of the lethal dose for animals. The
first mouse died of heart failure within one minute of being
dosed. After reducing the dose, they found that mice under
anesthesia experienced up to a 25 percent reduction in heart
function within just 20