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Triclosan

TRICLOSAN: Protective or Disruptive?

What is Triclosan?

Triclosan is a widely used antimicrobial agent that inhibits or stops the growth of bacteria and contamination. Because of its ability to destroy microbes, triclosan was once a common ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps and body washes. However, the potential effects of triclosan on humans have raised concerns about endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation (buildup in the body), and resistance to antibiotics/antibacterial products.

What Contains Triclosan?

What Contains Triclosan?

It is used as a preservative in water-based formulations such as aftershave lotions, bath products, foot sprays, toothpastes, hair conditioners and make-up products.

Toothpastes Containing Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that can be added to toothpastes to reduce plaque and gingivitis.

The use of triclosan as a preservative in toothpaste is safe at a concentration of 0.3% when used alone in both adults and children (0.5-18 years of age), but is unsafe when used in combination in children younger than 3 years of age.

Soaps Containing Triclosan

In 2013, the FDA required manufacturers of antibacterial soaps and body washes to provide evidence that their products were safe for long-term daily use. It also required that these products prove that they were more effective at preventing infections than products that did not contain triclosan.

Researchers who examined data from many different studies found that people who used antibacterial soaps containing triclosan were just as likely to get sick as those who used regular soaps.

Then the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States banned the sale of consumer antiseptic wash products containing triclosan in 2016. Approximately 40% of all soaps sold contained it.

Is Triclosan Harmful?

Triclosan has been used for years in many products due to its preservative function. However, recent studies on chemical preservatives have emphasized the hormone disrupting effects of this raw material. The damage it causes to the hormonal system in long-term use has been supported by many studies.

Triclosan Harms

Triclosan (Triclosan) Harms

In vitro studies demonstrate the endocrine disrupting potential of Triclosan on estrogens, androgens, and the thyroid axis. According to a 2022 study by Ana C Marques et al., “The estrogenic and androgenic activity of Triclosan has been shown to have adverse effects on the reproductive system, cardiovascular system, and thyroid function in both animals and humans. Specifically, it has been found to affect male and female fertility, sperm morphology, and motility. In cardiovascular studies, Triclosan has been associated with heart defects in fish and mice, as well as inhibition of arterial contraction. In addition, Triclosan has been shown to reduce circulating thyroid hormone levels, alter the morphology of the thyroid gland, and interfere with thyroid hormone function.”

The least understood aspect of TCS (Triclosan) is bioaccumulation and how this may relate to long-term health effects. Multiple urinalysis studies have shown the presence of TCS in subjects from around the world. In the US, 75% of 2517 participants were found to be positive for TCS in their urine at concentrations of 2.4–3790 μg/L, much higher than the initial detection level of 2.3 μg/L.

TCS has also been detected in newborn cord blood. A study in New York City showed that 100% of urine samples from 181 pregnant mothers and 51% of cord blood samples from their babies contained TCS.

Perinatal exposure to TCS in mouse models could be linked to impairment of neurogenesis and neuronal growth, which is then further associated with behavioral and social problems after birth, including decreased memory and increased anxiety-related behaviors.

Although triclosan appears to have an effect on bacterial resistance to antibiotics in vitro, studies in the environment have not confirmed increased resistance.

Its use in cosmetic products is considered safe for human health at authorized concentrations. Like all preservatives, the use of triclosan in cosmetic products is strictly regulated. However, ongoing research and regulatory reviews continue to evaluate its potential risks and benefits.

Triclosan-Free Toothpaste

Studies have accepted that the use of Triclosan in products as an antibacterial agent does not show a big difference compared to those not used and have not been able to explain its benefit. On the other hand, studies on its possible harms have revealed that there are many risks to the use of this raw material.

While the same effect can be achieved by using natural antibacterial agents, the use of Triclosan, which contains many possible harms, is questionable. For this reason, it is possible to make a difference by using toothpastes that do not contain Triclosan and to provide a clean mouth without any doubt.

Resources

  1. https://cosmileeurope.eu/inci/detail/16339/triclosan/
  2. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/reference/annexes/list/V
  3. Marques AC, Mariana M, Cairrao E. Triclosan and Its Consequences on the Reproductive, Cardiovascular and Thyroid Levels. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(19):11427. Published 2022 Sep 28. doi:10.3390/ijms231911427
  4. https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/sccs-scientific-advice-safety-triclocarban-and-triclosan-substances-potential-endocrine-disrupting-2022-11-04_en
  5. Papavasilopoulos, Rachel K, and Sanghoon Kang. “Bibliometric Analysis: The Effects of Triclosan on Human Health.” Toxics vol. 10.9 523. 1 Sep. 2022, doi:10.3390/toxics10090523

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