The scariest substances are the ones we understand the least— the ones that are widely used, under-studied, and have passionate advocates and critics on either side. The FDA called for a review of many antiseptic and antibacterial chemicals for over-the-counter use, including triclosan. The review did not provide the FDA with data confirming triclosan’s long-term safety, and it’s now restricted from use in antiseptic and antibacterial soaps.
What is triclosan?
Triclosan is a substance with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Because of this, manufacturers add it to a wide array of products (some listed below). In 2016, the FDA restricted its use in over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps, washes, and cosmetics. Later, in 2017, the FDA restricted it from hospital settings as well.
It’s the effectiveness of triclosan that has come under examination. While it is great at putting an end to germs, the FDA wanted to know if it was better than plain soap and water. And after the review in 2016, the FDA ruled there was not sufficient evidence supporting triclosan’s safety to leave it unregulated, and again in 2017 the same ruling was issued for use in healthcare environments.
What products have it?
Triclosan is restricted from being used in consumer (OTC) antibacterial and antiseptic soaps, cosmetics, hand sanitizers, etc. In other words, the kinds of products you find at a drugstore. It’s also restricted in healthcare-setting antiseptic washes and rubs.
If an OTC product contains triclosan, it must be listed as an ingredient (usually in the ingredient section box on the back). Please note triclosan is restricted, not banned. Products wanting to include the chemical must undergo a premarket review. Many toothpastes sport triclosan for its antigingivitis properties. Be sure to check the labels of the products you purchase.
The FDA only regulates triclosan in products technically classified as drugs, like hand sanitizers, toothpaste, and deodorants. Essentially, rulings from the FDA do not affect products like pesticides.
Here are a few things other than drugstore products that can contain triclosan:
- Pesticides
- Conveyor belts
- Carpeting
- Plastic toys
- Furniture
- HVAC systems
- Clothing (including socks, underwear, and helmets)
- Kitchenware
- Writing utensils
A lot of times, triclosan may be present in products labeled as “antibacterial,” “antimicrobial,” “germ-fighting,” “germ-killing,” etc.
Can I tell when triclosan is in a product?
It’s not easily detectable in a product. If you’ve been using a soap or hand sanitizer that had triclosan in it but phased it out after the FDA’s ruling, you likely haven’t noticed. Detecting triclosan in a product would require more than just the naked eye. This is why the FDA requires manufacturers to disclose on the label whether it’s included in a product or not.
Triclosan vs. Triclocarban
One of the other chemicals under FDA scrutiny is triclosan’s cousin, triclocarban. It acts similarly to triclosan but has some differences in its chemical structure, earning it its own title (and FDA restriction). Just like its cousin, triclocarban’s long-term safety is in question. Though less popular, triclocarban appears in some of the same types of products that triclosan does and must be labeled if it appears in a soap, sanitizer, toothpaste, etc.
The Trouble With Triclosan
It’s Everywhere
Triclosan was developed as a pesticide in the 1960s. After initial testing and introduction on the market, it rose in popularity. Since triclosan’s specific biological mechanism for killing bacteria does not operate the same way for human cells, many believed it to be a safe chemical for everyday use. However, when the chemical appeared in waterways and then popped up in nearly 75% of participants in this 2003 NIH study, many organizations felt the urgency to confirm its safety.
Unfortunately, the confirmation never came. This is what eventually led to the FDA restricting triclosan and triclocarban in what some call a “soap update.”
Studies have found varying concentrations of triclosan in people around the world, so we know it’s a widespread chemical. We know it can be absorbed through the skin, GI tract, or mouth. One small study saw how easily the chemical in question may enter the bloodstream when used in a mouthwash. That same study found it took eight days for it to leave the participants’ bodies. So, we know it takes some time for the body to eliminate it.
Regular Soap Works Just As Well
One item the FDA wished to discover was whether triclosan in antibacterial soap was more effective than normal soap for getting rid of bacteria. The term “antibacterial” for soap isn’t meant to be misleading. The antibacterial chemicals included in those products do indeed prevent bacterial growth.
However, so does plain old soap. In fact, there is no data that confirms antibacterial or antiseptic soap is better at preventing disease than the regular kind.
Have you ever slipped on a sudsy floor? The same thing happens to the dirt on your hands when you wash with normal soap. It binds to water molecules, reducing surface tension and making it harder for dirt— and the pathogens in it— to “hang on” to surfaces.
The antibacterial label makes it seem like you’re reducing the germs on your hands even more, but that’s just not the case.
Antibiotic Resistance and Triclosan
Bacteria becoming resistant to antibacterial efforts is the last thing anyone wants (especially doctors). While triclosan has been shown to incur mutli-drug resistance in some bacteria, more research is required to confirm its widespread effects. However, antibiotic resistance is a hot topic in the healthcare industry. It’s something healthcare professionals take quite seriously, another reason this chemical is such a trending topic.
Triclosan and Overdosing
While we don’t expect overdoses on triclosan, being exposed to it at very high doses for many days in a row may have some adverse effects.
Triclosan has been reported to induce allergic reactions and interact with the thyroid. One study found links between triclosan and potential liver cancer in mice. The study provides good reason to be cautious but not alarmed about a person’s previous use of triclosan. We do know that the research is still underway, and plain soap works just fine.
Final Thoughts
Reviewing chemicals like triclosan takes time. Removing a chemical from the market is a huge effort and opens up a niche for new products to take its place. And, of course, those products will need reviewing. The best advice is to continue to use the tried and true plain soap until further studies are available.
If you have more questions about triclosan, triclocarban, or antiseptic soap, call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
