In a report released by the United States Government Accountability Office we learned that of the 80,000 chemicals in commercial use only a few are tested and even fewer are restricted. Triclosan is one of these 80,000 chemicals. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent added to a range of consumer products that has undergone scrutiny in recent years due to its environmental and human health consequences.
This summer we investigated how we might leverage biotechnology to raise awareness and accountability around triclosan use specifically, and around responsible chemical use at large. After exploring our problem space we realized that any device we built for the detection of triclosan would be but one node in a complex web of social, political and industrial interactions.
We thought carefully about where this tool might be most effective and what additional resources would need to complement. We identified public awareness as an effective catalyst for change, chose high school students as a potential audience and a lesson plan as a viable medium of delivery.
The project consists of three components: a triclosan biosensor, a hands-on lesson plan, and a chemical footprint app that together are an integrated solution to help pave the way to a more sustainable future.
