Antibacterial Soap and Key Ingredient Triclosan

This article was originally published in February of 2008 by Cheeky Maiden.

Antibacterial Soap and Key Ingredient Triclosan

Someone recently requested a tip on soap, and I’ve wanted to share the research I’ve been doing on Triclosan.

Triclosan is the key active ingredient in antibacterial soap, some toothpastes, acne treatments, deodorants, and dish soaps. There are a number of concerns about the overuse of antibacterial agents and its effect on our health and the environment.

In fact, a study done in 2000 found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps—45% of all the soaps on the market—contain some type of antibacterial agent. The most common active ingredient was triclosan, a chemical that is used so commonly it actually makes its way into our bodies. A 2002 Swedish study found high levels of triclosan in 3 out of 5 human breast milk samples.

Triclosan is extremely effective when used in hospital settings, where disease and infection are prevalent. But no current data demonstrate any extra health benefits from the use of antibacterial soap and cleanser in a healthy household. A study of over 200 healthy households found that households using antibacterial products did not have any reduced risk for runny noses, coughs, and other symptoms of infectious diseases. According to the American Medical Association, “Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them … It may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products ….”

Damaging Effects of the use of Triclosan

According to EPA, triclosan “could be” and is “suspected to be” contaminated with dioxins. Dioxins can be found in triclosan as impurities formed during the manufacturing process. Dioxins are highly carcinogenic chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as:

• weakening of the immune system,
• decreased fertility,
• altered sex hormones,
• birth defects, and
• cancer.

Triclosan and Allergies

Overuse of triclosan (and other antibacterials) is also linked to allergies. This is based on the “hygiene hypothesis,” which theorizes that there is a correlation between “too much hygiene” and increased allergies and asthma. The concept is that children who are raised in an overly clean environment have immune systems that are not challenged and thus do not develop and mature properly.

Triclosan and Antibiotic Resistance

Many recent studies have raised serious concerns that triclosan may promote the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. One concern is that bacteria will become resistant to antibacterial products like triclosan, rendering those antimicrobial products useless to those who truly need them, such as people with compromised immune systems.

Scientists also worry that because triclosan kills bacteria in a similar way as antibiotics, bacteria that become resistant to triclosan will also be resistant to antibiotics. Triclosan does not actually cause a genetic mutation in the bacteria—which is part of the process by which they acquire resistance—but by killing the normal bacteria, it creates an environment where mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan are more likely to survive and reproduce. Laboratory studies with triclosan have already found a number of different strains of mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan and to certain antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance has become an increasingly serious problem worldwide, and overuse of triclosan may exacerbate this problem.

Environmental Effects of Triclosan

Over 95% of triclosan uses are in consumer products that are eventually disposed of down sink drains. Wastewater treatment plants cannot remove triclosan from water, so large quantities of triclosan are continuously discharged into local waterways. Numerous studies have detected triclosan in streams and rivers. In a US Geological Survey study of 95 organic wastewater contaminants in US streams, triclosan was one of the most frequently detected compounds, and at some of the highest concentrations observed.

Triclosan is highly toxic to algae. Because algae are the first-step producers in aquatic ecosystems, researchers believe that high levels of Triclosan discharged into the environment may destroy the balance of aquatic ecosystems. The risks are especially high immediately downstream from wastewater treatment plants.

Staying Clean without Triclosan

Research has shown that Triclosan is no more effective at killing bacteria on hands than plain old fashioned soap (such as Cheeky Maiden Soap!) Simply washing your hands more frequently and at key times such as before eating, after going to the bathroom, or when someone is sick is enough.

Natural soap will not strip your skin of its own natural oils or alter the pH, both of which act as a first line of defense against germs and disease.

Tea Tree Oil is a natural antimicrobial. We use it in our Kid Critters soap and our Complexion Soap.

Your tip for this week is to avoid Triclosan! It is also known as Irgasan and Microban on some labels.

It’s also important to understand that this differs from the alcohol based products that you apply to the skin without the use of water (such as Purrell). These work in a different way and usually don’t contain Triclosan.