‘Chemical in lipsticks can cause heart problems’

A chemical commonly usedin lipsticks, handwashes and other personal
care products may cause heart problems and muscle impairment, a new
study has claimed.
Scientists at the University of California have found that triclosan,
which is used in hundreds of household products, can hinder the
process by which muscles, including the heart, receive signals from
the brain.
In tests on mice, they noted a 'dramatic' 25 per cent reduction in
heart function within 20 minutes of exposure, and warned there is
'strong evidence' it could affect human health.
However regulators and other experts insist triclosan levels in
productsare safe, and that the doses injected into the mice were
higher than those to which humans would ever be exposed.
Previous studies have found that triclosan may have links to thyroid
and fertility problems, this is the first time its effects have been
tested on muscles.
Scientists had thought thatthe chemical — which wasdevised to prevent
bacterial infections in hospitals — was metabolised quickly by thebody
without harmful effects.
However, the researchers at the University of California say it may
remain active and be transported to organs, causing damage.
"Triclosan is found in virtually everyone's home and is pervasive in
the environment," said professor Isaac Pessah, who led the study,
published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
"These findings provide strong evidence that it is of concern to both
human and environmental health,"
"For someone who is healthy a 10 per cent dropin heart function may
not have an effect, but if you have heart disease it couldmake a big
difference," Pessah said.
His team injected a group of mice with triclosan. They saw a
'significantly reduced' function in the heart's left ventricle
within20 minutes.
"The effects of triclosan oncardiac function were really dramatic,"
said Nipavan Chiamvimonvat, professor of cardiovascularmedicine at UC
Davis and astudy co-author.