What is Triclosan?

triclosan is a primary active ingredient in many antibacterial and antifungal products that we all use regularly. It is an organic compound that is a biocide, bacteriostatic and is not highly soluble in water. Triclosan is produced partially by oxidation of benzene or benzoic acid using the raschig or kumen process. It has become popular as hand -soap additive, face washing, toothpaste and used in Microban® products such as dishes, clothing and toys. Triclosan is also used in higher concentrations (2%) as a treatment in people with meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureaus (MRSA).

Triclosan deteriorates very slowly and in decades the old sludge was found at the bottom of the lakes and in wastewater. In fact, it is one of the most detected elements in wastewater and affects the growth of eyelashes. Because it slowly degrades and is not highly soluble in the water, the efficiency of triclosan in the soap -man -ranging bacteria even after being rinsedand dried. According to some studies, products containing triclosan kill up to 99.6% of bacteria.

While parents, teachers and doctors certainly love the benefits of Triklosan because of how highly it is to kill undesirable bacteria, it has its critics. Critics of antibacterial products and specifically Triclosan say that its excessive use will lead to the development of resistant bacteria. Current studies question this statement and there is no definitive evidence that Triclosan is to blame any resistant bacteria.

Another criticism of Triclosan is that it can be carcinogenic. According to triclosan studies, it interacts with chlorine in water water to produce chloroform gas, which is carcinogen. This effect is deepened by sunlight. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that possible has dioxins that are carcinogenic. In fact, Virginia Polytechnic InstituteHe found that when the dishwashing soap was combined with water water, chlorinated dioxins formed. Another study shows that triclosan is excreted in human breast milk and is an endocrine disruptor in animal subjects.

Triclosan is currently used in approximately 75% of liquid soap products. Many manufacturers who adhere to criticism of Triclosan opponents eliminate the component from their products. This can also be partly due to studies that have shown that an ordinary old soap associated with the right hand washing techniques can be equally effective in fighting the daily bacteria you have come into contact with.