Learn about Triclosan biocide

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that helps "slow or prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mold". It began to take place in germicidal hand soap products in the 1970s.

Since then, triclosan is used in tons of different consumer products - such as detergents, soaps, skin cleaners, deodorants, lotions for shampoo / shower, cream, toothpaste, water Wash dishes. Many of these products are labeled as " bactericidal" capable of containing triclosan or a related compound.

The truth is, we are completely unaware of human health risks when using triclosan, especially when using a low concentration of triclosan.

Triclosan is used in tons of different consumer products.

However, due to consumer concerns about safety and environmental impact, triclosan has been excluded from many soap products, as there is much evidence that these products do not benefit. Health benefits in water and soap.

Experiments with animals have set off some red alert. For example, a study found triclosan promotes breast cancer in cells in the laboratory and in mice. Other research shows that exposure to triclosan during pregnancy causes nerve damage in some mice.

But it should be acknowledged that the effects of chemicals on animals are very different to humans, and animal testing may involve the use of high doses of chemicals. However, these findings in animals mean that we need to have safety tests before products are used for humans.

The direct effect of chemicals on the human body is not the only concern about additives. In the mid-2000s, environmental organizations such as the Resource Protection Council, began to worry about the use of triclosan in soaps that could contribute to increasing resistant bacteria, causing bases. Difficult to treat infections. Because soaps are used and often drift down streams, even drifting into water systems, they also discovered triclosan can affect algae and the life of species in water ecosystems. For example, Canadian scientists have discovered that exposure to triclosan has caused some developmental problems for amphibian species.

The US Environmental Protection Agency website also said that triclosan "has the potential to pose a risk to aquatic animals". They planned to review triclosan, but triclosan is still a registered "pesticide" .