Triclosan: The Hidden Danger of Your Antibacterial Soap

Toothpaste containing triclosan.

Source: Reused with permission from reference 1. Copyright 2015 by pixabay.

It’s that time of year again; when the weather cools off and we cozy up inside to enjoy the pleasures of autumn. This same cool weather and closeness also means the approach of the cold and flu season. As we amp up our fight against these bugs with antibacterial hand washes and wipes, it might be important to stop and consider what we are putting on our hands and in the water systems.

Triclosan has traditionally been found in these antibacterial soaps, given its effectiveness in disrupting the membranes of bacterial cells to kill them². The use of this chemical started over half a decade ago, in hospitals to fight dangerous Staph infections. It is still used today for this purpose in the health care system². It is also widely used in personal care products, such as Old Spice deodorant, Colgate toothpaste, Gillette shave gel and Dawn hand soap³.

Despite its widespread use, the long-term effects of triclosan are not well understood. Until recently, it was generally considered safe, given that 75% is cleared from our bodies within approximately 42 hours after exposure³. Long-term studies have found that triclosan has the potential to build up in fat tissue and result in antibiotic resistance⁴. In addition, it has been found to disrupt hormones responsible for normal metabolism and sperm production, and can cause different cancers⁴.

Even more concerning is the highly toxic effect it can have on aquatic animals⁴. Given that it is commonly used in products that get washed down the drain, this is potentially problematic. Triclosan has been found to accumulate in fish and dolphins, possibly indicating that it is building up at different levels in the food chain⁴.

To top it all off, more recent research has determined that antibacterial soaps that contain low-levels of triclosan are no more effective at preventing the spread of infection, when compared to washing with traditional soap and water⁴. Because of all the potential problems discussed, the FDA concluded that the risks associated with excessive use of triclosan, do not outweigh the benefits which resulted in a ban of triclosan in over the counter products in the United States⁵.

So, this holiday season, instead of reaching for your antibacterial products to stay healthy, resort to the more inexpensive traditional method of soap and water. Not only could you improve your own health, you may prevent antibiotic resistance and save ocean animals.

References

¹Toothbrush, hygiene, oral hygiene. https://pixabay.com/en/toothbrush-hygiene-oral-hygiene-

685326/ (accessed on October 28, 2016).

²Triclosan. https://library.mtroyal.ca:2200/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u=mtroyalc&v=2.1&i

t=r&id=GALE%7CCX3441700209&asid=3c6f75f727ac771c65646652f7952853 (accessed October 28, 2016).

³Triclosan, 2016. Drug Bank. http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB08604

⁴Kumar, K. R., Rohini, P., Md., A. R., & Dev, Y. P. A review on occurrence, fate and toxicity of

triclosan. WJPPS. 2015, 4:336-369. www.wjpps.com/download/article/1435653182.pdf (accessed October 28, 2016).

⁵US Food and Drug Administration. FDA issues final rule on safety and effectiveness of

antibacterial soaps, 2016. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/

PressAnnouncements/ucm517478.htm (accessed October 28, 2016).