Triclosan is a chemical known for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties (1). Triclosan was first introduced in 1972 as a surgical scrub and is now used in a range of products (2). It can be found in anti-bacterial wipes and soaps, cutting boards, toothpastes, and acne medications! It's also used to preserve makeup. There are even companies that place it in clothing to remove unpleasant odours caused by bacteria (1).
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How does it work though? Triclosan enters the cell and prevents an enzyme called enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) from synthesizing fatty acids. ENR is responsible for cell membrane construction and reproduction in many unicellular organisms. These actions must be carried out or the microorganism will die. Interestingly, triclosan even has the power to kill the protozoan parasite that causes malaria (3). Some scientists believe that triclosan removes bacterial competition and may develop “superbugs” with antibiotic-resistance and higher growth rates (2).
Although triclosan has been FDA approved since the 1970s, there is still controversy to whether this chemical is safe to use. Triclosan may trigger a photoallergic reaction in humans when exposed to sunlight and leave a severe rash (2). As well, triclosan’s response to UV light or chlorinated water can form carcinogenic chloroform and dioxins. Internal-wise, the chemical’s lipophilic properties allow it to store in our fat cells (5). Concentrated blood levels have been associated with hormone disruption and reduced brain and spinal cord function (2). Why? Some scientists believe that it inhibits the activity of an enzyme responsible for regulating hormones and brain tissue development (5).
Our irreplaceable environment continues to be heavily impacted by humans. Most triclosan-carrying products are washed down the drains by consumers. Unfortunately, this chemical cannot be completely extracted by wastewater treatment plants and eventually resides on the floors of rivers and lakes. In addition to this, triclosan has a bad reputation for causing mischief in our bodies of water. It is highly toxic to phytoplankton and certain kinds of algae, and has been found to cause hind limb deformities during tadpole development. Like in humans, it can disrupt thyroid function and bioaccumulate in the fatty tissue of aquatic life (5).
So what can we do? For starters, we could avoid anti-bacterial soaps. Studies have shown that using plain, regular soap is just as effective as using anti-bacterial washes, regarding that you scrub your hands for the recommended length (~20 seconds) (5). Essential oils, like Australian tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, and pine oil, have antimicrobial properties as well (6). In 2014, some cosmetic companies, such as Avon, have removed triclosan and other toxic chemicals from their products. With this progress already in effect, perhaps we will see less of triclosan in other products later on.
References:
(1) Triclosan and Antibiotics resistance, 2011. GreenFacts. http://copublications.greenfacts.org/en/triclosan/ (accessed Nov 16, 2014).
(2) Herring, P. Washing Our Hands Of Toxic Triclosan, (n.y.). Mountain Green. http://mountaingreen.biz/triclosan-article.aspx (accessed Nov 16, 2014).
(3) Triclosan. In Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds; Schlager N., Weisblatt, J., Newton, D. E., Eds. UXL: Detroit, MI, 2006; Vol. 3, pp 863-866.
(4) Superbug - Cartoon view, 2013. Hosuronline. http://hosuronline.com/index.php/superbugs-could-erase-a-century-of-medical-advances/superbug/ (accessed Nov 6, 2014). Used with permission.
(5) Environmental Defence. The Trouble with Triclosan: How a Pervasive Antibacterial Chemical Is Polluting Our World and Our Bodies [Online]; Environmental Defence: Toronto, ON, 2012; pp 1-29. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2052/lib/mtroyal/reader.action?docID=10586061 (accessed Nov 16, 2014).
(6) Glaser, A. The Ubiquitous Triclosan, 2004. BeyondPesticides. http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Triclosan%20cited.pdf (accessed Nov 16, 2014).
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