Chemical Found in Toothpaste, Soap May Double Women's Chances of Osteoporosis

A study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism determined women with high exposure to the chemical triclosan were more likely to develop osteoporosis, reports the New York Post . Older women with higher concentrations of triclosan in their urine also had a higher risk of lower bone mineral density. Triclosan is commonly used in household items like soap, mouthwash, toothpaste, and hand sanitizers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned triclosan from over-the-counter soaps in 2016, after animal studies revealed that it disrupted hormones and contributed to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This past April, the agency also barred the chemical's use in hand sanitizers in the United States.