Because it kills bacteria, the chemical compound triclosan has been a popular additive for use in a large number of consumer products, including hand sanitizers, toothpastes, cookware, clothes and furniture. But studies found it can have adverse impacts on human health, particularly causing gut problems. Fulton Schools Professor and director of the Center for Environmental Health Engineering Rolf Halden, whose research helped to raise awareness of the risks related to triclosan, says further studies are strengthening the case for caution in the use of the potentially harmful antimicrobial.