Triclosan: Toxic Twelve, FDA Reviewing Antimicrobial Ingredient

by Sudha Krishna | April 9, 2010 at 10:19 am

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Toxic Twelve Chemical: Triclosan To Be Investigated By FDA

Triclosan, a common antibacterial substance found in soap and toothpaste is being reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Triclosan has the dubious distinction of making the Toxic Twelve List - a list of chemicals in cosmetic products compiled by health care and cosmetic saftey advocates.

The FDA says it is reviewing Triclosan because recent animal studies show it could impact hormone regulation.

...in light of animal studies raising questions about triclosan’s safety, the agency is engaged in an ongoing scientific review to incorporate the most up-to-date data and information into the regulations that govern consumer products containing triclosan. The FDA does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan at this time.

Though the FDA does not consider Triclosan unsafe others say it does have harmful affects, specifically Triclosan and antibacterial products are spawning resistance strains and may actually hurt more than they help according to a recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) study.

Reports are mounting about a possible association between infections in early childhood and decreased incidence of allergies (18). In expanding this "hygiene hypothesis," some researchers have found a correlation between too much hygiene and increased allergy (18-21). This hypothesis stems from studies that revealed an increased frequency of allergies, cases of asthma, and eczema in persons who have been raised in an environment overly protective against microorganisms.

In Canada, health officials are taking the middle road, saying while the safety of Triclosan is being investigated, there is another reason to avoid soaps that contain Triclosan.

Health Canada has recommended that people avoid antibacterial products because they kill healthy bacteria that fight harmful germs and because of concerns over antibacterial products.

Then there is the environmental factor, Triclosan is also an industrial pesticide used in a variety of industrial products. The San Francisco East Bay Municipal Muncipal Utility District said in February 2007 newsletter that Triclosan and Triclocarban were found in the Bay's aquatic life.

Studies show that these chemicals do not break down quickly and can harm aquatic life. Wastewater treatment was designed to remove human and food wastes, not synthetic chemicals.

The FDA review of Triclosan will be completed in the Spring of 2011.