UM: Health

The Montreal Gazette reports that excessive and repeated hand-washing may be harmful to one’s health, according to a recent UM study. The study specifically linked the chemical triclosan, an ingredient in many soaps and toothpastes, to increased allergies. The article quotes UM researcher Erin Rees Clayton: “Many research studies show an association between exposure to environmental chemicals and different disease outcomes. There is a lack of data, however, examining whether exposure to these chemicals may affect our immune systems.” [Source]