U of M study finds rising levels of dioxins from common soap ingredient in Mississippi River

U of M study finds rising levels of dioxins from common soap ingredient in Mississippi River sediments

Dioxins in general decreasing, but those derived from triclosan increasing

Contacts: Ryan Maus, University News Service, maus@umn.edu, (612) 624-1690
Rhonda Zurn, Institute of Technology (College of Science and Engineering), rzurn@umn.edu, (612) 626-7959

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (05/18/2010) —Specific dioxins derived from the antibacterial agent triclosan, used in many hand soaps, deodorants, dishwashing liquids and other consumer products, account for an increasing proportion of total dioxins in Mississippi River sediments, according to University of Minnesota research.

The study appears online in the May 18 issue of the journal Environmental Science and Technology.