Triclosan exposure, transformation, and human health effects

Abstract

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial used so ubiquitously that 75% of the US population is likely exposed to this compound via consumer goods and personal care products. In September 2016, TCS was banned from soap products following the risk assessment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, TCS still remains, at high concentrations, in other personal care products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and surgical soaps. TCS is readily absorbed into human skin and oral mucosa and found in various human tissues and fluids. The aim of this review was to describe TCS exposure routes and levels as well as metabolism and transformation processes. The burgeoning literature on human health effects associated with TCS exposure, such as reproductive problems, was also summarized.

Figure 1.

Recent human epidemiology studies show an association of an increase in urinary triclosan concentrations with a variety of detrimental endpoints. ¹ Koeppe et al 2013; ² Lv et al 2016; ³ Wang et al 2015; ⁴ Clayton et al 2011; ⁵ Spanier et al 2014; ⁶ Hong et al 2014; ⁷ Lassen et al 2016; ⁸ Philippat et al 2014; ⁹ Etzel et al 2017; ¹⁰ Velez et al 2015; ¹¹ Li et al 2015.