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Minnesota to ban triclosan-containing products by January 2017

Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill on May 19 preventing the sale of any cleaning product containing triclosan for use by consumers for hand or body washing and sanitizing.

The Minnesota House and Senate passed the bill last week, due to health and environmental concerns.

According to The Associated Press, a University of Minnesota study published in 2013 found increasing levels of triclosan in the sediments of several lakes. The researchers believe the chemical may break down into potentially harmful dioxins. Two months later, Dayton ordered all state agencies to stop buying hand soaps and dish and laundry cleaners containing triclosan.

Many, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, believe there is no evidence that triclosan soaps are more effective than washing with plain soap and water.

The American Cleaning Institute encouraged Dayton to veto the bill, stating that triclosan provides important health benefits.