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Dioxins are a group of highly toxic compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants. People are exposed to dioxins through the environment and the food chain -- the highest levels of these compounds are found in soils, sediments and food such as dairy products, meat, fish and shellfish. And, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), this exposure can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.

So you would never flush dioxins into your water supply, right? If you use antibacterial soaps and other antibacterial products, you could be doing the equivalent of just that.

In 2003 and 2009, University of Minnesota civil engineering professor William Arnold and his colleague Kristopher McNeill published their discovery that the antibacterial agent triclosan, when exposed to sunlight, generates a specific group of four dioxins. Now, in a new study, a team of scientists from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, Pace Analytical (Minneapolis), the Science Museum of Minnesota and Virginia Tech, have documented how triclosan is transformed into dioxins that are accumulating in the environment. This research, just published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, concludes dioxins originating from triclosan (found in many hand soaps, deodorants and dishwashing liquids) account for a huge increase in total dioxins now polluting Mississippi River sediments.

Efforts to cut down on dioxin contamination resulting from industrial pollution have been underway for several decades. However, the issue of triclosan in antibacterial consumer products has been virtually ignored. And the research team has found that over the last 30 years, while levels of all the other dioxins have dropped by 73 to 90 percent, the levels of dioxins derived from the antibacterial soap ingredient triclosan have risen by 200 to 300 percent.

For the new study, which was headed by Jeff Buth, a recent University of Minnesota Ph.D. graduate in chemistry, the researchers examined sediment samples from Lake Pepin, an enlargement of the Mississippi River located 120 miles downstream from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. They analyzed sediment cores (which contain a record of accumulated pollutants in the lake over the past 50 years) and checked for amounts of triclosan, the four dioxins derived from triclosan, and the entire family of dioxin chemicals.

The results? In the most current sediments, triclosan-derived dioxins account for about 30 percent of the total dioxin mass. "These four dioxins only come from triclosan. They didn't exist in Lake Pepin before triclosan was introduced," Dr. Arnold said in a statement to the media.

Triclosan was first added to commercial liquid hand soap in 1987. Four years later, nearly 80 percent of commercial liquid hand soaps contained it, the researchers noted. And what happens to this chemical when people use triclosan-containing products to wash their hands and dishes? About 96 percent of it ends up in residential drains, leading to large loads of triclosan-contaminated water that enters treatment plants.

Unfortunately, triclosan can not be completely removed during the wastewater treatment process. So when treated wastewater is released back into the environment, there's triclosan still in it and sunlight converts some of the triclosan (and related compounds) into dioxins.

That's how the triclosan and dioxins ended up in Lake Pepin sediments, the researchers explained. The chemicals stuck to organic particles in the river and then sank into sediment when they reached the calmer waters of the lake.

In addition to the environmental danger that arises from triclosan's ability to morph into dioxin, the chemical has also been linked to disruptions of hormonal function and may play a role in the evolution of bacterial resistance to antibiotics -- yet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has done little to address these concerns. In April, the FDA announced it would finally at least study the triclosan situation.

Before I tell you about the best anti aging moisturizers, let me tell you about the worst, the ones to avoid. They are common ingredients in practically every lotion on the market. They are marketed as anti-aging, when in reality it is known that they inhibit the skin's natural rejuvenation process. You should avoid anything that contains petrolatum and other petroleum byproducts. On the label, you may see mineral oil, which is really liquid petrolatum. You might see paraffin, which is a kind of wax made from petroleum. Or, you might see liquid paraffin. They have been used for years and sold as moisturizers, but dermatologists have been warning people about them for nearly as many years. They don't penetrate, so they cannot moisturize. They are not compatible with the skin's own oils or sebum, so they change the pH level. Eventually, they cause excessive dryness, which often causes a person to increase the amount that they use. They reduce skin cell production, so they actually inhibit the skin's ability to repair and replace damaged fibers. It becomes a circle that leads to older looking skin. The best anti aging moisturizers actually increase the production so skin cells. Scientists can actually measure that kind of thing. The best anti aging moisturizers are very similar to sebum. They are plant oils like grape seed, olive and avocado. Light plant waxes should also be included to lock in moisture. Jojoba and Babassu are two very good ones. These oils and waxes can be used by people with dry, oily or combination skin, because they are so well accepted. They help to balance sebum production. So, you don't end up with patchiness or greasiness. They work well under cosmetics and the ones designed for men are effective aftershave creams. Most companies suggest that you use the same cream, morning and night. You actually should use something different at night, because that's when healing occurs. One of the most important ingredients to look for in a night cream is honey. Scientists have evaluated this age-old remedy and found that it contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent and repair free radical damage. Antibacterial agents prevent infections that can lead to blemishes, scarring and uneven pigmentation. Certain types are more active than others, since it all depends on what plants the pollen was gathered from. A specific type found in New Zealand is believed to be the most active. It's called manuka honey after the bush that the pollen is gathered from. The best anti aging moisturizers contain it, because it has been shown, in scientific studies, to support the natural skin renewal process and assist in the formation of stronger collagen. That, in turn, improves the skin's elasticity or firmness. It has proven effectiveness in healing blemishes, acne, eczema and psoriasis. Shea butter is also useful at night, but during the day, it is very heavy. It helps reduce scars and brown spots, as well as wrinkles and stretch marks. Only the best anti aging moisturizers contain compounds like these and they may be a little difficult to find, but if you really want effectiveness, it's worth the effort.

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