What is triclosan? How safe is it? Are there benefits to using products with triclosan? Find out the answers to these questions and more.

What Is Triclosan?

Triclosan is an ingredient added to many consumer products with the intent of reducing or preventing bacterial contamination. It can be found in a variety of products, including antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, cosmetics, clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys.

How Safe Is Triclosan?

The safety of triclosan has been the subject of ongoing research and debate. Some short-term animal studies have indicated that exposure to high doses of triclosan may be associated with a decrease in thyroid hormone levels, but the significance of these findings for human health is not yet clear. There are also concerns that triclosan exposure could contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but more research is needed to fully understand this potential risk.

Ongoing studies are investigating the potential for triclosan to contribute to the development of skin cancer and the breakdown of triclosan into other chemicals on the skin when exposed to UV rays, but these studies have not yet been completed.

Are There Benefits to Triclosan?

For some products, such as Colgate Total toothpaste, there is evidence that triclosan can provide a benefit. The FDA review of Colgate Total in 1997 found that the triclosan in that product was effective in preventing gingivitis.

However, for other over-the-counter (OTC) consumer products like antibacterial soaps and body washes, the FDA has not found evidence that triclosan provides a benefit over washing with regular soap and water. In 2017, the FDA issued a final rule that will require companies to provide more data on the safety and effectiveness of triclosan and 23 other active ingredients in OTC consumer antiseptic products before they can be used.

How Can I Identify Triclosan in Products?

If a product contains triclosan, it should be listed as an ingredient on the label. For OTC drug products like antibacterial soaps and toothpastes, the triclosan should be listed in the Drug Facts box. For cosmetic products, the triclosan should be included in the list of ingredients.

It’s important to note that due to public pressure, many manufacturers have begun reformulating their products without triclosan, so product formulations may change without notice. Always check the product labels to determine if triclosan is present.

What Is the FDA Doing to Evaluate Triclosan?

The FDA has been reviewing the safety and effectiveness data on triclosan through its OTC antiseptic rulemaking process. The agency will continue to monitor the scientific literature and follow the ongoing research on the safety and effectiveness of triclosan.

In 2017, the FDA issued a final rule that will require companies to provide more data on the safety and effectiveness of triclosan and other active ingredients in OTC consumer antiseptic products before they can be used. The FDA will also continue to review the active ingredients used in hand sanitizers.

What Products Contain Triclosan?

Triclosan can be found in a variety of products, including:

• Antibacterial soaps and body washes (e.g., Dial® Liquid hand soap and body wash, Clearasil® Daily Face Wash, DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap)
• Toothpastes (e.g., Colgate Total®)
• Cosmetics (e.g., Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation, Movate® Skin Lightening Cream HQ)
• Deodorants (e.g., Arm and Hammer® Essentials Natural)

It’s important to note that due to public pressure, many manufacturers have begun reformulating their products without triclosan, so product formulations may change without notice. Always check the product labels to determine if triclosan is present.

What Should I Do if I Want to Avoid Triclosan?

If you want to avoid products containing triclosan, here are some tips:

1. Check the ingredient lists on the products you buy, especially for antibacterial soaps, body washes, toothpastes, and cosmetics.
2. Look for labels that state “antimicrobial protection” or “antibacterial,” as these may indicate the presence of triclosan or a similar ingredient.
3. Consider using regular soap and water instead of antibacterial products, as the FDA has not found evidence that these products provide a benefit over regular soap and water.
4. Be aware that some products may have been reformulated to remove triclosan, so it’s important to check labels regularly.

5 Things to Know About Triclosan

Does the product contain triclosan? On over-the-counter drug products, read the ingredients on the Drug Facts label. On cosmetics, read the list of ingredients.

What Is Triclosan?

Triclosan is an ingredient added to many consumer products intended to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. It is added to some antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics—products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It also can be found in clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys—products not regulated by the FDA.

How Safe Is Triclosan?

Some short-term animal studies have shown that exposure to high doses of triclosan is associated with a decrease in the levels of some thyroid hormones. But we don’t know the significance of those findings to human health. Other studies have raised the possibility that exposure to triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics. At this time, we don’t have enough information available to assess the level of risk that triclosan poses for the development of antibiotic resistance.

There are other ongoing studies that involve the safety of triclosan. One is a study investigating the potential of developing skin cancer after a long-term exposure to triclosan in animals. Another is a study on the potential breakdown of triclosan to other chemicals on human skin after exposure to triclosan to ultraviolet (UV) rays. At this time, neither study has been completed.

Are There Benefits of Triclosan?

For some consumer products, there is evidence that triclosan provides a benefit. In 1997, FDA reviewed extensive effectiveness data on triclosan in Colgate Total toothpaste. The evidence showed that triclosan in that product was effective in preventing gingivitis.

For other products, such as over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic products, FDA has not received evidence that triclosan provides a benefit to human health. At this time, FDA doesn’t have evidence that triclosan in OTC consumer antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.

In December 2017, the FDA issued a final rule regarding certain OTC health-care antiseptic products. As a result, companies will not be able to use triclosan or 23 other active ingredients in these products without premarket review due to insufficient data regarding their safety and effectiveness. The FDA recently issued a final rule on OTC hand sanitizers and will continue to review the three active ingredients commonly used in hand sanitizers.

How Can I Tell if There Is Triclosan in a Product?

Antibacterial soaps and body washes, and fluoride toothpastes are considered OTC drugs. If an OTC drug contains triclosan, it should be listed as an ingredient on the label, in the Drug Facts box. If a cosmetic contains triclosan, it should be included in the ingredient list on the product label.

What Is FDA Doing to Evaluate the Safety of Triclosan?

FDA has been reviewing safety and effectiveness data on triclosan in the agency’s OTC antiseptic rulemakings. FDA will also continue to monitor and follow the scientific literature available for the safety and effectiveness of triclosan.

For more information on consumer antiseptic washes, see the final rule.

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Products Containing Triclosan — Beyond Pesticides

DISCLAIMER: Due to public pressure, many major manufacturers have quietly begun reformulating their products without triclosan. Product formulations may change without notice. Below is a small sampling of products formulated with, or used to be formulated with triclosan and is not to be considered a comprehensive list. Remember to always refer to product labels to determine whether triclosan is contained in your product. Some retail outlets may still carry older formulations. Look out for labels that state: “antimicrobial protection.” Some antibacterial soaps may use triclosan’s cousin, triclocarban, in place of triclosan.

Soap: Dial® Liquid handsoap and bodywash; Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap; Clearasil® Daily Face Wash; Dermalogica® Skin Purifying Wipes; DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap; CVS Antibacterial Soap, Ajax Antibacterial Dishsoap, Kimcare Antibacterial Clear Soap, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Hand Soaps, Gels and Foaming Sanitizers.

Dental Care: Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Daily Mouthwash; Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush

Cosmetics: Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation; Mavala Lip Base; Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ; Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb, Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss, Babor Volume Mascara, Phytomer Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk, Phytomer Hydracontinue Instant Moisture Cream, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Moisturizing Lotions.

Deodorant: Arm and Hammer® Essentials Natural Deodorant; Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant; DeCleor Deodorant Stick; Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes.

First Aid: SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic; Healwell Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint; Solarcaine® First Aid Medicated Spray; Nexcare™ First Aid, Skin Crack Care; : Universal Cervical Collar with Microban.

Kitchenware: Farberware® Microban Cutting Boards; Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban; Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer; Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban; Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads.

Other Personal Care Products: Murad Acne Complex® Kit, ®; Diabet-x™ Cream; Scunci Microban Comb, Sportslick Pocket Slick.

Clothes: Biofresh® socks, undergarments, tops and bottoms.

Office and School Products: Ticonderoga® Pencils with Microban Protection, Avery® Touchgaurd View Binders, C-line® products, Clauss® cutting instruments, Costco® products, Sharp® printing calculators. Westcott® scissors

Other: Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier; Deciguard AB® Antimicrobial Ear Plugs; Bauer® Re-Akt hockey helmet and 7500 hockey helment; Miller Paint Acro Pure Interior Paint; Holmes Foot Buddy™ HMh220U Antimicrobial Foot Buddy Foot Warmer, Blue Mountain Wall Coverings, California Paints®, Davis Paint® Perfection, Hirschfield’s Paint®,O’Leary Paint®, EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails, Dupont™ Air Filters, Winix Dehumidifiers, J Cloth® towels, select Quickie cleaning products, Kimberly Clark® WYPALL X80 Towels, Canopy® kitchen towels, ALUF Plastics®, BioEars earplugs, Petmate® LeBistro feeders and waterers, Infantino cart covers and baby carriers, Oreck XL®, Bissell Healthy Home Vacuum™, NuTone® Central Vacuum systems, Rival® Seal-A-Meal® Vacuum Food Sealer, CleenFreek SportsHygiene Yoga Mat, Resilite Sports Products, Rubbermaid® Coolers, Stufitts sports gear, Venture Products® fitness mats, Custom Building Products, DAP®Kwik Seal Plus®, Laticrete, Niasa Biquichamp® mortar grout and sealant, ProAdvanced Products.

For more information on products containing Microban, the antibacterial product containing triclosan go to their webpage.

JMS Triclosept – Liquid hand sanitizer with triclosan

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• JMS Triclosept – Liquid hand sanitizer with triclosan

	Conforms to WHO recommendations. Kills the full spectrum of bacteria, viruses and fungi in 30 seconds
	Contains up to 70% isopropyl alcohol
	HAND SAFE. Contains tea tree oil, coconut oil and glycerin to nourish the skin and protect it from excessive drying
	Does not require rinsing, does not leave a sticky feeling. Suitable for daily use
	Wholesale prices and flexible delivery terms
	Contract manufacturing

Purpose

Neutral concentrated disinfectant (antiseptic) based on isopropyl alcohol and triclosan. Contains glycerin, coconut oil and tea tree oil to nourish hand skin and protect it from drying out.

Used for washing and antiseptic treatment of the skin of the hands of working personnel, for filling sanitary checkpoints, for processing sanitary rugs, soft toys, upholstered and hard furniture, floors and equipment. The product kills the entire spectrum of microbes and bacteria, eliminates strong odors.

Recommended for use in medical, children’s institutions, food industry (dairy, meat, fish processing, etc. ), public catering and at home.

Features

How to use

Ready to use. In medical institutions, it is used for washing and antibacterial treatment of hands, as well as disinfection of various surfaces and objects. It is refilled into dispensers, sanitary checkpoints, applied to disinfection barrier mats.

The product is concentrated, when used outside of medicine, if desired, it can be diluted with water at the rate of 1 part of the product to 3 parts of water.

For hand sanitizer, apply to clean hands, spread evenly and rub thoroughly for 2-3 minutes, including between fingers. If desired, you can rinse with water, but the product is safe for the skin of the hands.

When disinfecting surfaces and objects with a sprayer, evenly apply a thin layer of the agent over the object to be treated (slippers, upholstered and hard furniture, floors, equipment, etc.), if desired, the agent can be washed off with water after 5-10 minutes.

Remains effective in cold water. Does not dry out hands, suitable for daily use.

Precautions

Do not ingest! Avoid contact with eyes! Keep away from children! Use only as directed! Do not mix with other products! May ignite, keep away from fire and excessive heat!

In case of contact with eyes and mucous membranes, rinse with plenty of water. Seek medical attention if necessary.

TU9144-001-98205538-2006 with amendment 1

Storage

-5°C to +40°C in dry warehouses, out of direct sunlight.

Warranty period of storage – 36 months in a closed original container. After defrosting, it retains its properties. When stratified, the solution must be mixed before use. After the expiration date, dispose of as household waste.

Composition

Mild surfactant composition (c-surfactant 2-10%, n-surfactant <5%), isopropyl alcohol 50-70%, triclosan, tea tree oil, glycerin, coconut oil, antibacterial complex, fragrance, water.

Hand sanitizer side effects But they don’t kill all kinds of germs.

Excessive use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also irritate and even damage the skin. Join us for accurate scientific content on the dangers of alcohol disinfectants.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, doctors, scientists and governments have been looking for better healthcare options. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best strategy for dealing with hand contamination is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water. This method has been proven to reduce germs and chemicals on the hand without any side effects.

But soap and water are not always available. In these cases, using hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of some pathogenic germs. Hand sanitizers work quickly and easily and are portable. But isn’t long-term use of these disinfectants harmful to human health? Like a chemical, these substances must have side effects. So should these side effects of alcohol-based hand sanitizers be ignored?

Much research has been done in this area. Now that the use of these disinfectants has become a part of our lives due to the corona pandemic, let’s be aware of the hidden consequences of their use.

Hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizers are divided into two types, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, depending on the type of active ingredient.

In most cases, the main ingredient in disinfectants is alcohol, which is combined with water, fragrances and glycerin. These substances contain from 60 to 95% alcohol, usually as ethanol, isopropanol, or N-propanol. At such a high concentration of alcohol, the proteins are immediately released from their natural form and effectively kill certain types of microorganisms.

Other non-alcoholic hand sanitizers usually contain a combination of antibiotics called triclosan or yttrium chlorbarban, and in some cases are made with benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Which have fast antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Most of these disinfectants also use emollients, such as glycerin, which soften the skin after use.

Nano Silver Disinfectant is a type of non-alcoholic disinfectant that kills a wide range of microorganisms, germs, bacteria and fungi. According to studies, these substances are more effective in killing 99.99% of germs and viruses such as cholera, swine flu, MRSA and norovirus, E-Coli and salmonella, and less harmful than alcohol.

Do alcohol-based disinfectants kill all germs?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are designed to rapidly reduce hand germs under certain conditions. But they don’t kill all kinds of germs. The reasons for this vary depending on the amount of disinfectant used, the duration of exposure to air, the frequency of use, and whether infectious agents in the person’s hand are sensitive to the disinfectant. But the most important reason not to kill all germs is that people may not follow the instructions for using enough disinfectant gel.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, when rubbed on hands for 30 seconds and air-dried, can effectively reduce bacteria, fungi, and some viruses such as the flu virus. But in general, bacteria such as norovirus and some ring parasites are ineffective against bacterial spores.

How effective are non-alcoholic disinfectants?

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of alcohol-based disinfectants instead of non-alcoholic chemical products. The most important reason is the concern about the safety of the chemicals used in non-alcoholic disinfectants. For example, studies have shown that triclosan can disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system or cause environmental pollution. Nano silver disinfectants are approved due to the absence of chemicals and negative side effects.

Learn more about the side effects of alcoholic and non-alcoholic disinfectants

Incorrect and unusual use of disinfectants causes unwanted side effects. Although not all of these side effects have been scientifically proven, the existence of these negative effects has been seen in some scientific studies.

antibiotic resistance

Antibiotics are effective against bacteria. But what happens if your body becomes resistant to antibiotics and your immune system can’t handle the bacteria?

Antimicrobials (including antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals) are important to our health. They help us fight infections. Especially if the immune system is weak or at risk. However, some organisms (such as bacteria) mutate after exposure to antimicrobials due to damage to the bacteria’s DNA.

This process can occur naturally during cell proliferation or after exposure to genotoxic chemicals that damage cellular DNA. A small amount of this type of DNA damage is normal due to cellular metabolism, especially in fast growing bacteria. And it’s easy to fix. But if the DNA is severely damaged, or if repair is not done properly, the germ cells can survive. Or even the same bacteria can take resistant genes from other bacteria and increase their resistance. All these conditions make them capable of withstanding the drugs designed to destroy them.

As with antibiotic abuse, overuse of hand sanitizers can lead to antibiotic resistance in some bacteria.

Triclosan is one of the substances in disinfectants that makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics. In fact, the overuse of disinfectants, by killing good bacteria, reduces the body’s resistance to disease caused by bad bacteria and makes treating bacterial diseases difficult or even impossible.

There is therefore concern that the overuse of hand sanitizers during a pandemic outbreak could lead to an increase in germ-resistant bacterial species. This is especially true for medical personnel. And it may even continue long after the pandemic is over.

However, according to WHO guidelines, unlike chemical disinfectants and antibiotics, no study has been able to show that routine use of alcohol-based disinfectants increases antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Alcohol poisoning

The active ingredient in some hand sanitizers is usually alcohol, which acts as an antimicrobial agent and kills bacteria. But just because it doesn’t contain triclosan disinfectants doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.

Prolonged use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is similar to regular drinking of an alcoholic beverage and can cause a high rate of alcohol poisoning.

Methanol is a toxic alcohol and if absorbed in large amounts on the skin, it is absorbed into the skin and may have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, hypothermia and bluish discoloration of the skin.

But according to WHO studies, there is no evidence that blood alcohol levels are too high after using the correct amount of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Usually this amount was very small and insignificant.

But using hand sanitizer containing methanol can cause problems such as blindness, seizures, or nerve damage, and in more serious cases, it can be fatal. This problem occurs especially in children due to lack of awareness. They can drink it without knowing what is in the disinfectant bottle.

On the other hand, many of us use hand sanitizer just before eating. These disinfectants contain many chemicals and their continued use, especially in children and young people, can cause poisoning.

Parabens, which are present in many skin care products to increase product shelf life, are toxic substances that are also used in many hand sanitizers.

Hormonal disorders

Another effect of triclosan is hormonal problems. FDA studies show that triclosan can lead to hormonal imbalances, resulting in antibiotic-resistant strains.

Triclosan is a powerful antibacterial and is used in pesticides. It is easily absorbed by the skin and can affect thyroid function as well as damage the liver and muscles.

Hormonal disturbances in the body cause bacteria to adapt to antimicrobial conditions and increase their resistance to antibiotics. This has raised serious concerns among healthcare professionals about the use of hand sanitizers. They believe that any disturbance of the natural environment within the body has a devastating effect on health. This hormonal imbalance can also lead to infection and disease.

If alcohol hand sanitizer smells, it’s probably full of toxic chemicals. Manufacturers are under no obligation to disclose the ingredients of these fragrances and therefore typically use dozens of chemicals to flavor these sanitizers. If these aromatic substances contain phthalates, they disrupt the function of the endocrine glands and ultimately affect the growth of the genital organs.

Weakening of the immune system

Triclosan may damage the immune system. Triclosan is a powerful antibacterial agent. While it kills countless microbes from the body, it is equally successful in causing the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that triclosan can negatively impact immune function. By disrupting the immune system, people become prone to allergies and become more vulnerable to the toxic chemical bisphenol A found in plastics. or even make the body more vulnerable to traditional diseases (such as the common cold).

Skin damage

Excessive use of hand sanitizers can irritate and even damage the skin. Hand sanitizer reduces the protective functions of the skin and makes the skin membrane more permeable to harmful chemicals. In fact, high concentrations of alcohol can cause dryness and cracking of the skin, putting it at risk for bacteria.

Over time, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause the skin on your hands to age faster than normal. The alcohol in the disinfectant solution makes it very inflamed, and dry and inflamed skin is prone to wrinkles and other blemishes.

Should alcohol-based disinfectants be banned despite their side effects?

All of the above are side effects of alcoholic disinfectants if taken incorrectly and excessively. But in pandemic situations, when the use of disinfectants is an unavoidable necessity, it is necessary to balance alcohol consumption and use less harmful methods, such as nano-silver disinfectants.

• Disinfectants are a good addition to soap and water, but not a substitute. In other words, hand sanitizer should not replace handwashing, but should be used as a supplement to handwashing when soap and water are not available.
• The FDA also recommends to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that alcoholic hand sanitizers contain at least 60 percent alcohol. The higher the alcohol concentration (ideally 60 to 95%), the better the hand sanitizers. Of course, if the amount of alcohol is less than recommended, this solution can reduce the growth of microbes, but it does not completely kill them.
• The World Health Organization does not recommend spraying disinfectants, especially in open areas. Spraying disinfectants on the streets does not kill the coronavirus and even poses a health hazard. And it can be both physically and mentally harmful. Spraying chlorine or other toxic chemicals on people can cause eye and skin irritation, bronchospasm, and gastrointestinal effects .

Limited use of standard alcohol disinfectants as well as safe disinfectants such as Nano Silver is inevitable for this hand during this pandemic period. But to take care of yourself and those around you, remember to practice social distancing, use masks, and wash your hands frequently.

Sources:

1. https://www.thestreet.com/markets/5-hidden-dangers-of-hand-sanitizers-12966410
2. http://blog.richterhc.com/hand-sanitizers-understanding-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly
3. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a32464311/does-hand-sanitizer-weaken-immune-system
4. https://www.franciscanhealth.org/news-and-events/news/dirty-truth-why-hand-sanitizer-isnt-good-soap
5. https://www.eatthis.com/side-effects-hand-sanitizer/
6. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-to-tell-if-the-hand-sanitizer-youre-buying-is-safe#What-the-FDA-guidelines-say
7. https://phys.org/news/2020-04-heavy-sanitizer-boosts-antimicrobial-resistance.