What is Triclosan? Triclosan is a commonly used antimicrobial agent that accumulates in our bodies and has been linked to hormone disruption and the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibodies and antibacterial products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified triclosan in the urine of 75 percent people tested [1]. Triclosan also impacts the environment, ending up in lakes, rivers and other water sources, where it is toxic to aquatic life.
Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent found in a wide variety of antibacterial soaps and detergents, as well as in many deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics and plastics. Triclosan was initially developed as a surgical scrub for medical professionals, but in recent years it has been added to a host of consumer products, from kitchen cutting boards to shoes, in order to kill bacteria and fungus and prevent odors. However, triclosan has proved to be both dangerous and unnecessary—in 2005, the FDA found no evidence that antibacterial washes containing triclosan were superior to plain soap and water for protecting consumers from bacteria [2], and in 2013 the FDA announced a draft rulemaking process that would require manufacturers to demonstrate triclosan’s safety and efficacy for use in soaps and body washes [3] . This process will not be finalized until 2015 and does not include hospital-based use of triclosan.
