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Concerns About Triclosan: An Antibacterial in More Than Just Soap

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Triclosan is a common antibacterial added to numerous consumer products from soaps, toothpaste and deodorants to kitchenware, children’s toys and paint. The concern about triclosan is related to both health and environmental issues. Triclosan has been suspected as a contributing cause of skin irritation, allergic responses and antibiotic resistance as well as affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Despite these concerns, triclosan continues to be added to products due to its ability to prevent bacterial growth and its antifungal and antiviral properties. The question of whether it should be added has been the focus of legal actions and there have been attempts to pass laws to control its use.

Triclosan was first used as a surgical scrub in 1972 and was confined to hospital use at that time. For the last 10 years, there has been a surge in antibacterial products, particularly handwashes such that triclosan was found in 75 percent of the urine of Americans over the age of five, according to a Centers for Disease Control survey.

According to The New York Times, several studies have shown that triclosan may alter hormone regulation in lab animals or cause an increase in antibiotic resistance. Because of these findings, Representative Edward Markey from Massachusetts pressured the FDA to write stricter regulations for the addition of antiseptics to products last year. Markey has tried to put a ban on triclosan being added to hand soap, products that come in contact with food such as cutting boards and items marketed to children.

The FDA has acknowledged for years that triclosan added to soap is no more effective than just washing one’s hand with regular soap and they are aware of the results of the mentioned studies. However, they state the “FDA does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan at this time.” (FDA sheet)

Some companies have voluntarily removed triclosan from their products substituting other ingredients. Colgate-Palmolive removed triclosan from Palmolive Antibacterial Dish liquid using lactic acid instead and they reformulated Softsoap liquid hand soap to be triclosan-free.

However triclosan remains in other popular products such as Dial Complete liquid hand soap and Colgate toothpaste as triclosan has been found to help prevent gingivitis.

What you should know:

Triclosan must be listed on liquid type products labels so it is clear to a consumers it is present. It is important to note that triclosan does have other names, Microban when it is added to plastics and Biofresh if added to acrylic fibers, so be aware that it may be present in numerous products besides hand soap.

The studies that indicate health concerns have only been performed on animals and it is unknown how triclosan may affect humans. But awareness of how widespread triclosan's presence is in our daily lives is the first step in avoiding exposure to a chemical that may cause us harm.

For a list of products that may have Triclosan in them go to
http://drbenkim.com/articles/triclosan-products.htm

Sources:

The Ubiquitous Triclosan A common antibacterial agent exposed
By Aviva Glaser. Vol. 24, No. 3, 2004 pgs 12-17. Retrieved 26, Nov. 2011.
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Triclosan cited.pdf

Antibacterial Chemical Raises Safety Issues. By ANDREW MARTIN. Published: August 19, 2011. Retrieved 26, Nov. 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/business/triclosan-an-antibacterial-ch...

FDA says studies on triclosan, used in sanitizers and soaps, raise concerns. By Lyndsey Layton Washington Post Thursday, April 8, 2010. Retrieved 26, Nov. 2011.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/07/AR201004...

Triclosan: What Consumers Should Know. FDA Consumer Health Information / U.S. Food and Drug Administration. APRIL 2010. Retrieved 26, Nov. 2011. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM206222.pdf

Products That Contain Triclosan posted By Dr. Ben Kim. Retrieved 26, Nov. 2011.
http://drbenkim.com/articles/triclosan-products.htm

Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s healthcare and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele are at www.helium.com/users/487540/show_articles

Edited by Malu Banuelos

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Michele Blacksberg RN
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.