New research suggesting that triclosan, an antibacterial chemical found in common household soaps and detergents, may cause adverse health effects has prompted the Food and Drug Administration to take a closer look at the chemical, the Washington Post reports. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, triclosan is so common that it is found in the urine of three quarters of the population, yet recent studies indicate that it may interfere with the body’s endocrine system—our glands and hormones—and potentially play a role in creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the Post reports.
