What exactly is triclosan?

Triclosan, C12H7Cl3O2 is an antibacterial chemical agent acts as biocide with a little phenolic smell that intends to kill or inhibit the growth of microbes. It is added in many consumer goods including soap, body washes, mouthwash, toothpaste, cosmetics, facial cleanser, acne-cream, skin lotion, lipstick  and non-consumable products including blanket, clothing, plastic mouse pad, socks, and conveyor belt.

When it comes to the options at selecting the personal care and household products, the one with label of ‘antibacterial’ is certainly more attractive to consumer to buy as compared to one with none. Consumers prefer to buy the product because the manufacturer claims the product to be effective in killing up 99.9% of the bacteria. If triclosan is in one of your personal care product used daily, please read more about the product research and development and concentration of it for further confirmation.

How triclosan imposed health risk in long term usage

Triclosan is a synthetic organic chemical which was invented to use in the hospital for the medical professionals as a bactericidal surgical scrub. According to the FDA, triclosan isn’t known to be directly hazardous to humans. Triclosan is effective in preventing gingivitis, periodontitis and removing plaque. Nevertheless, there is now raising concern about long-term consequences of triclosan to health. Although, the soap containing triclosan confers benefits, however many researches is starting to prove that these soaps may bring more harms than good.

Health consequences

The triclosan works mainly by targeting on the fatty synthesis of bacteria. Triclosan inhibit this process to block their pathogenesis. The proof is that not all the Staphylococcus bacteria get killed by the less lethal or diluted concentration of the triclosan used as in the hand-wash soap or sanitizer. The weaker strain of bacteria died but the better strength bacteria with resistance gene survived through triclosan.

Over time, this promotes the growth and lead to emergence and proliferations of the antibacterial-resistant bacteria due to the stronger strain of bacteria adapted and get better immunity from the previous treatment. The bacteria are more resistant to the next encounter of triclosan. Then research and development for a stronger or alternative antibacterial agent will be needed in the near future. However, these are only the lab’s evidence and under lab condition, which in real life it could be very different.

Triclosan not only increases the antibacterial resistance of bacteria, also possibly disrupts the hormone and immune system because it is able to stay in the blood over an extended time. It is also associated with allergic diseases and hay fever. For instance, the toothpaste which contains the triclosan can lead to generation of superbug which is not able to be killed by antimicrobial agent anymore. Besides, the triclosan also kill the beneficial bacteria and human cells.

When product containing triclosan is washed down to the drain, waterway and water system, it becomes a source of water pollution. The water which is polluted with triclosan when it is investigated and runoff soil is accumulated with high amount of triclosan. Besides the triclosan breakdown products are harmful. The studies found that when the triclosan is exposed to sunlight and when interacting with the chemical such as chlorine in tap water, it will break down and become dioxin and toxic intermediate compounds which are harmful to body health if consumed.