Triclosan in the News

2,4,4'-Trichloro-2’-hydroxydiphenyl ether – more commonly known as triclosan – is an antimicrobial agent present in a variety of products where it works to slow or arrest the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mildew. It may be found in products such as clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys, or it may be added to antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics – products regulated by the US FDA. Triclosan has been in the news lately as it has recently been found to function as an endocrine-disrupting compound, and since this compound is so ubiquitous in everyday items, the FDA and the EPA are taking a closer look at its effects on the body and the environment.

For more than 30 years, triclosan has been used in consumer products such as detergents, soaps, skin cleansers, deodorants, lotions, creams, toothpastes, and dishwashing liquids. Triclosan can be added to other materials, such as textiles, to make them resistant to bacterial growth. People may be exposed to triclosan when they use consumer products with this ingredient; when using these products, small amounts of triclosan can be absorbed through the skin or the mouth. The human health effects from low-level triclosan exposure are unknown, although skin products containing triclosan can infrequently cause irritation.

In the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (Fourth Report), CDC scientists measured triclosan in the urine of 2,517 participants aged six years and older who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2003-2004. By measuring triclosan in urine, scientists can estimate the amount of triclosan that has entered people’s bodies. Triclosan was detected in the urine of nearly 75% of the people tested. Biomonitoring studies on levels of triclosan provide physicians and public health officials with reference values so that they can determine whether people have been exposed to higher levels of triclosan than are found in the general population, as well as helping health scientists plan and conduct research on exposure and health effects. Triclosan Fact Sheet, CDC

 CIL has offered triclosan for many years and has two solvents available for analysis. The methyl triclosan metabolite is also available.