Triclosan has become a common ingredient in many household products. Although it may seem counterintuitive, these products are not useful in the home and may actual create more problems by encouraging bacteria to develop resistance to triclosan -- and perhaps even antibiotics.
Triclosan as a Cosmetic Ingredient and a Pesticide
Triclosan is an antimicrobial compound that is found in many popular household antibacterial products, including liquid hand soaps (like Softsoap) and acne skin care products (like Clearasil). It is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, which means that it kills a wide variety of microbes, including fungi, Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and mildew.
Triclosan has two major functions:
- It kills microbes. It is included in personal care products and cosmetics, household cleaning products, and medical supplies for this purpose. Use of triclosan in these products is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- It stops microbe reproduction. It is included in solid materials for this purpose, in objects such as mops, plastics, and mattresses. When triclosan is added to these sorts of products, it does not kill microbes, only prevents them from multiplying on the product's surface. Use of triclosan in these products is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Triclosan is released in the environment primarily by industries that add it to solid materials. It is considered a pesticide by the EPA. Studies show that it may accumulate in the environment and in organisms and cause toxicity.
Triclosan Can Trigger Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria
Bacteria can develop varying levels of immunity to triclosan. This immunity is known as "resistance" or "tolerance." The bacteria may resist triclosan with one or more methods, including efflux, in which the bacteria pumps toxins out of its cell.
It is not yet clear whether there is a link between bacterial resistance to triclosan and resistance to antibiotics. Several studies have explored a possible cross-resistance (resistance to one substance automatically giving bacteria resistance to another) between triclosan and antibiotic drugs. Results seem to be mixed.
In one study by Cottell et al. in the Journal of Hospital Infection in 2009, researchers found that triclosan-tolerant E. coli were actually less resistant to certain antibiotics. On the other hand, according to Stuart B. Levy in "Antibacterial Household Products: Cause for Concern," triclosan-tolerant bacteria may have more resistance to particular antibiotics.
Presently, it seems as if several different factors may lead to triclosan resistance. Depending on which factor, which species of bacteria, and which antibiotic, triclosan-resistant strains of bacteria may or may not be more or less susceptible to antibiotics.
Avoid Use of Antimicrobial Soaps and Products in the House
According to Levy, antibacterial soaps are only beneficial in stopping the spread of infectious diseases to at-risk persons (such as patients in a hospital). He says that "in a healthy household," they are not useful. In fact, they can do more harm than good by causing the development of resistant microorganisms.
Despite what companies and advertisers want you think, numerous studies conclude that regular soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap (according to WebMD and the NIH).
Choose products without triclosan or other antibacterials for your home. Your home and your family will be just as clean and healthy.
References
- EPA triclosan fact sheet
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Aquatic Toxicity of Triclosan, David R. Orvos et al., Vol. 21 Num. 7, 2002
- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Triclosan and antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, Suller and Russell, Vol. 46 Num. 1, 2000
- Journal of Hospital Infection, Triclosan-tolerant bacteria: changes in susceptibility to antibiotics, Cottell et al., Vol. 72 Num. 1, 2009
- Journal of Medical Microbiology, Triclosan resistance in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii, Chen et al., Vol. 58, 2009
- http://www.webmd.com/news/20070817/plain-soap-as-good-as-antibacterial
Christie Bailey - Christie is an RN, BSN with a passion for holistic health. Currently, she is pursuing her masters degree to become a holistic nurse ...
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