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Every hospital (and every mother) tries to minimize the possibility of the spread of bacterial diseases by reminding us to wash our hands with soap and water frequently. It is even better if the soap has an antibacterial ingredient, right?
Well, it certainly decreases the bacteria on the hands. However, the antibacterial agent, Triclosan may carry some risk.
Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent, which acts to slow or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi and mildew.
It was first registered as a pesticide in 1969. However, Triclosan is used as a registered pesticide only in a small portion of its overall uses.
In commercial, institutional, and industrial equipment, Triclosan is incorporated in conveyor belts, fire hoses, dye bath vats, or ice-making equipment as an antimicrobial pesticide. Triclosan can be directly applied to commercial HVAC coils, where it prevents microbial growth.
As a material preservative, Triclosan is used in many products including adhesives, fabrics, vinyl, plastics (toys, toothbrushes), polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, floor wax emulsions, textiles (footwear, clothing), caulking compounds, sealants, rubber, carpeting, and a wide variety of other products.
The FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a human health risk assessment for Triclosan for its many uses, including the uses that are regulated by the FDA (antibacterial hand soaps, toothpaste, deodorants, cosmetics and medical devices). They determined that pesticides containing Triclosan met the statutory safety standard.
Since that 2008 assessment however, additional data on effects of Triclosan on thyroid hormones and estrogen have also been made available from the EPA. Those studies led to additional research, which is underway and will help determine the potential risk to humans of these effects observed in laboratory animal studies. Those results will not be available until 2013.
Although Triclosan is not known to be hazardous to humans, some sources have linked it to other potential dangers. These include weakening of the immune system, birth defects, uncontrolled cell growth (as in cancer), and/or unhealthy weight loss. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that Triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
On a positive note, in 1997, data on Colgate Total toothpaste showed that Triclosan in that product was effective in preventing gingivitis. However, for other consumer products, the FDA has not received evidence that the Triclosan provides an extra benefit to health.
Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration does not have evidence that Triclosan in antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.
If you want to know if an over-the-counter drug contains Triclosan, it will be listed as an ingredient on the label, in the drug facts box. If a cosmetic contains Triclosan, it will be included in the ingredient list on the product label.
The FDA is engaged in an ongoing review of the safety of Triclosan in FDA-regulated products and will release the findings of its review to the public in spring 2011.
In the meantime, consumers concerned about using hand and body soaps with Triclosan should wash with regular soap and water. In fact, I have heard of cancer doctors telling their patients to throw out all of their antibacterial soaps because of these concerns.
According to BeyondPesticides.org, triclosan is found in the following products:
Soaps:
• Dial, Softsoap Antibacterial, Tea Tree Therapy liquid soaps
• Provon soap
• Clearasil Daily Face Wash
• Dermatologica Skin Purifying Wipes
• Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
• DermaKleen Antibacterial Lotion Soap
• Naturade Aloe Vera 80, CVS antibacterial soaps
• pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser
Dental Care:
• Colgate Total; Breeze Triclosan Mouthwash
• Reach Antibacterial Toothbrush
• Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste
Cosmetics:
• Supre Café Bronzer
• TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
• Garden Botanika Powder Foundation
• Mavala Lip Base
• Jason Natural Cosmetics
• Blemish Cover Stick
• Movate Skin Litening Cream HQ
• Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
• Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
• Dazzle
Deodorant:
• Old Spice High Endurance, DeCleor sticks
• Right Guard Sport, X Air Maximum Strength
• Queen Helene Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
• Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick
• Epoch with Citrisomes
Other products:
• Gillette Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
• Murad Acne Complex Kit
• Diabet-x Cream
• T.Taio sponges and wipes
• Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
First aid:
• SyDERMA Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
• Solarcaine
• First Aid Medicated Spray;
• Nexcare Skin Crack Care, First Aid/Burn Cream
• HealWell Night Splint
• 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban
Kitchenware:
• Farberware Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards
• Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
• Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
• Chix Food Service Wipes with Microban
• Compact Web Foot Wet Mop Heads
Computer:
• Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad
Clothes:
• Merrell Shoes
• Sabatier Chef’s Apron
• Dickies, Fruit of the Loom, Biofresh socks
Children’s toys — Playskool:
• Stack ‘n Scoop Whale
• Rockin’ Radio
• Hourglass
• Sounds Around Driver
• Roll ‘n’ Rattle Ball
• Animal Sounds Phone
• Busy Beads Pal
• Pop ‘n’ Spin Top
• Lights ‘n’ Surprise Laptop
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