Soap: The Harmful Effects of Antibacterial Consumer Products Containing Triclosan

Introduction

[bookmark: _kmbbaslljroe][bookmark: _rc6l9mwchxfu][bookmark: _21ny3ot77s6v][bookmark: _r5rlkdeuoxuk][bookmark: _qyysuuk7zu8h][bookmark: _rd9k0x3kcrse]Triclosan also known as TSC is a synthetic pesticide put used many household personal and consumer products as a multi-purpose antimicrobial agent to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. Triclosan is added to antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, cosmetics regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, triclosan can be found in clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys, which are products not regulated by the FDA. In 2016, The FDA banned 19 chemical additives used in antibacterial soaps and household products. According to NPR, “The Ban applies only to the consumer products, not to antibacterial soaps used in hospitals and food service settings” (Kodjak). Products such as Dial, Ajax, and Clearasil use these chemicals in their Hand soaps, body washes, and facial cleansers was banned because of its potential health risks. On December 20, 2018, the FDA banning the marketing of over the counter (OTC) healthcare antiseptic products containing triclosan. They found that these ingredients are not recognized as safe and effective. These products include hand washes, surgical hand scrubs, patient antiseptic and skin products. This report includes four sections: Background information about triclosan, results of different research and studies done on triclosan, discussion of the result of these studies and recommendations to prevent the antibacterial resistance and environmental impact of triclosan by the use of alternative products.

Research Plan

To inform prospective health professionals about the effectiveness of consumer antibacterial soaps that contain triclosan in bacterial contamination. The long and term effects of the environmental and health concerns when using products containing triclosan from author reviewed literature in online databases and internet sources. Through my research, I have reviewed numerous articles, journals and various online sources such as medical journals and databases. I found that some studies addressed the dangers of using consumer products containing triclosan, however, there are very few recent studies that show the effects that triclosan can have on a humans. Most of the studies have been conducted through animal testing. others were written by medical journals warning the consumers to beware of the product’s bacterial resistant ability.

Part 1: Level of effectiveness of soap containing Triclosan Vs. Plain soap

[bookmark: _xsxgi7srqedm] Soap is amphipathic and has both polar and nonpolar properties. The nonpolar tail adheres to the dirt on your skin and the polar heads are soluble in water. which allows the dirt to be lifted off the skin during hand washing. Triclosan is added to remove microbes still left on the skin after washing with plain soap. In a retrospective study, Antimicrobial Activities of Different Soaps on Selected Human Skin Pathogens evaluated antimicrobial activities with various banded soaps against selected microbes present on the normal and infected skin. The results should be that antimicrobial soaps are only effective in antibacterial activity and lack antifungal effect. “These soaps can be used to prevent skin infections and transmission of skin pathogens when used in hand washing. However, prolonged usage of these soaps could lead to the development of microbial resistance in the future and could also leave the skin more vulnerable to pathogenic microorganisms due to the elimination of both beneficial and harmful microbes on the skin.” (Teniola et al. 8). The study found that Black soap was the best in antimicrobial activity out of all the soaps due to its presence of antimicrobial phytochemicals such as tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. The Antimicrobial Phytochemicals may account for the for its efficiency in antifungal efficiency against Candida Albicans in the results of the study (e.g. see fig.1). Triclosan can develop bacterial resistance and leave the skin more susceptible to foreign pathogens because it removes [image: ][image: ]both beneficial and harmful microbes from the skin.

Figure 1: The correlation relationship between the Black soap (XI) and the Soaps that contained the active ingredient Triclosan (B1 and T2). (Teniola, Folounsho, Ogunlusi, Aderounmu, & Omemu 2019 7-8)

Part II: Health Concerns from continual use of triclosan

Triclosan is an inhibitor of an enoyl reductase allowing to kill bacteria by hindering the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. This disturbs lipid synthesis and eventually destroying the cell. Triclosan has been found to reduce levels of testosterone, increase body mass index and a potent endocrine disruptor. Triclosan accumulates in the body over time and found in 75 % of urine in the American population, it also appears in breast milk and plasma. The absorption of Triclosan into human skin has yet, to prove any long-term damage to the human body especially in adults. However, other studies have linked triclosan to contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics in promoting the growth and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Scientific evidence has proved that Triclosan had adverse effects similar to triclocarban causing skin irritation, exaggeration of allergic response, endocrine disruptions, interference with thyroid hormone production such as thyroxine and triiodothyronine. There is also an increased risk in children of developing asthma, eczema, and allergies. At this time there are ongoing studies that suggest that the breakdown of triclosan on human skin can affect the exposure of UV rays in the body and the potential of skin cancer after long-term exposure of triclosan in animals. These studies have yet to be completed.

Part III: Environmental impacts

Triclosan is present in the environment because, after use, the chemical travel down the drain in cities and resurfaces in rivers, lakes, sediment and soil from our wastewater treatment plants. According to Beyond the Pesticides, “over 95% of the uses of triclosan are disposed of in residential drains”. If it comes in contact with the chlorine found in our tap water it can form chloroform. Chloroform is a presumable carcinogen in humans. The adverse effect of triclosan in waterways can cause reproduction and development issues for aquatic life. Some animal studies have shown short-term effects that high doses of triclosan can lead to decrease levels of some thyroid hormones. Triclosan can affect gastrointestinal organs of reptiles and endocrine levels of mammals. For Example, in a study by Feng et al, the endocrine-disrupting effects of triclosan were observed on the placenta in pregnant rats. The purpose of the study was to determine if triclosan had an effect on the gene associated hormone biosynthesis and composition of the rats. The results were no significant differences were observed in the Triclosan groups and the controlled group, but a high level of triclosan was found in the placenta, liver, and kidneys than in other tissues in the body. Therefore, high doses of triclosan have the potential to disturb [image: ]hormone secretion of the placenta (e.g. see fig 2)

Figure 2: The concentration of Triclosan in TCS exposed pregnant rats in different tissues.

Feng, Yixing, et al. “PLOS One.” PLOS One, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 5 May 2016, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154758.

Discussion of the Results

Based on the research and the studies on these topics, the facts show that tricolon has harmful effects on the environment and short -term effect on animals and aquatic wildlife. The studies have proven that triclosan accumulation in the body lead to adverse effect for long- term use. Although more research would need to be done to determine the long-term effects on Humans. Triclosan is proven to be effective in its ability as an antimicrobial agent but it is also a lipophilic capable of becoming highly concentrated inside the body after use. Triclosan also is misused and mass-produced from personal hygiene products to household cleaning products. The continued use of the chemical may make us more sensitive to microbe invasion. The overuse of triclosan can also strip health microbes from skin, weakening the immune system. This helps support the claims of antibacterial resistance in recent studies and challenges scientists to find new alternatives to prevent antibacterial resistance.

Recommendations and Conclusions

Based on the study, I would recommend that finding new ways to clean without using antibacterial product contain triclosan that are safer for the environment. African Black soap is a good alternative to triclosan because it has natural antibacterial properties and have been proved through studies to be antimicrobial and antifungal. Studies have found that Black soap is effective in killing serval types of fungus including Candida Albicans shown in Figure 1. Black soap is safe on a variety of skin types from dry to sensitive skin types. The soap helps to balance the skin’s natural oil production without adding or stripping oil from the skin. Black soap can also be used as an anti-inflammatory since its rich in vitamin A and E, which fights against free radicals in the body. I would also recommend that consumer should always check the label for ingredients ingredient or under drug facts for OTC drugs(e.g. See figure 3) .The Use of more natural hand soaps containing thyme, fennel, grapefruit, tea tree or pine extract can give you the antibacterial effect and leave your hands smelling good. Hospitals are also trying to use more triclosan-free products by switching over to Ethanol-based sanitizers as of 2019. Ethanol denatures the proteins and dissolves the lipids of most bacteria, fungi and many viruses making it an effective antiseptic for antibacterial and antifungal effects. Ethanol Based products also do not pose a risk of promoting antibiotic resistance. Consumers need to be aware of these effects of triclosan before purchasing antibacterial products.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope this report gave you a better understanding of triclosan. After you have reviewed over the information above if you have any further questions about how to avoid triclosan products and further inquiries about triclosan please refer to the work cited page.

Figure 2: Other common Names for Triclosan (TSC)

Price, Annie, CHHC. Triclosan: Damages kidney, liver and Gut Health. 2016. Dr. Axe Food and Medicine,https://draxe.com/health/triclosan/?utm_campaign=where-is-triclosan-hiding&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=draxe&fbclid=IwAR30WyTU7wERfftPYg7mamXtuwIk0ZU-2r0mBCiij1JRjGXCbd6zcGKOaPs#

Work Cited

1. Commissioner, Office of the. “5 Things to Know About Triclosan.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about- triclosan.
2. Dhillon, Gurpreet, et al. “Triclosan: Current Status, Occurrence, Environmental Risks and Bioaccumulation Potential.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 12, no. 5, 2015, pp. 5657–5684., doi:10.3390/ijerph120505657.
3. Feng, Yixing, et al. ‘Endocrine-disrupting effects of triclosan on the placenta in pregnant rats.’ PloS one 11.5 (2016): e0154758.
4. Kodjak, Alison. “FDA Bans 19 Chemicals Used in Antibacterial Soaps.” NPR, NPR, 2 Sept. 2016, https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492394717/fda-bans-19-chemicals-used-in-antibacterial-soaps.
5. Macri, Diana. “Worldwide Use of Triclosan: Can Dentistry Do Without this Antimicrobial?” Contemporary clinical dentistry vol. 8,1 (2017): 7-8. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_225_17
6. McNamara, Patrick J., and Stuart B. Levy. ‘Triclosan: an instructive tale.’ Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy 60.12 (2016): 7015-7016.
7. NationalAddictionNews. “Triclosan: Is This Hazardous Toxin in Your Toothpaste, Beauty Products, Soap & Toys?” NationalAddictionNews.com, 18 Dec. 2018, https://nationaladdictionnews.com/2018/12/18/triclosan-is-this-hazardous-toxin-in-your-toothpaste-beauty-products-soap-toys/.
8. Price, Annie. “A Hazardous Chemical in Your Toothpaste, Hand Soap … and Even Toys?” Dr. Axe, 29 Feb. 2016, https://draxe.com/health/triclosan/?utm_campaign=where-is-triclosan-hiding&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=draxe&fbclid=IwAR30WyTU7wERfftPYg7mamXtuwIk0ZU-2r0mBCiij1JRjGXCbd6zcGKOaPs#.
9. Teniola, Olakunle D., et al. “Antimicrobial Activities of Different Soaps on Selected Human Skin Pathogens.” Journal of Advances in Microbiology, 2019, pp. 1–10., doi:10.9734/jamb/2019/v17i230141.