The antibacterial component of triclosan proved to be very dangerous
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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The known substance of triclosan is an antimicrobial and antifungal component present in detergents, cleaning agents, toothpaste, deodorants and household chemical solutions. Triclosan has been used in industry for almost fifty years: initially this substance was supposed to protect consumers from the negative effects of dirt and microbes.
It is noteworthy, but triclosan at first began to be actively added to all sorts of hygiene products. And only then the scientists began to study the safety of this component, and over time the results of such works became increasingly contradictory. For example, the Canadian government initiated the creation of a review of antimicrobial ingredients. It described that triclosan in small amounts (such as those found in cosmetic, detergents and toothpaste) does not pose a threat to human health, but is harmful to the environment, as it has a toxic effect on aquatic ecological systems.
So, triclosan was introduced into the top ten of the basic pollutants that were found in the reservoirs of the United States. And when conducting a nationwide study of the health status of Americans, traces of triclosan were found in the urine analysis of 75% of the people surveyed.
In a recent study, experts representing the University of Massachusetts, tried to determine whether the sounded antimicrobial agent relates to the development of inflammatory pathologies in the intestine. The experiment was conducted on rodents. For 21 days, the animals received a specific dose of triclosan in amounts that were compared with those found in human blood.
In 21 days the scientists diagnosed the initial phenomena of inflammation in the large intestine in rodents.
Further, triclosan was administered to animals having a gene modification to the development of inflammation in the intestine. Three weeks later, rodents showed signs of an inflammatory process, and the growth of malignant cells intensified. In one group of mice, a serious decrease in life expectancy was found.
Experts have suggested that the antimicrobial component is capable of affecting the intestinal microbiome. Simultaneously, the inflammatory process is started. According to the results of the analysis, triclosan reduced the diversity of intestinal microflora in animals.
Note that similar studies involving people have not yet been conducted. However, scientists insist on conducting an urgent additional research project.
In the past year, more than two hundred medical professionals from the United States signed a petition demanding the total abandonment of household use of triclosan. The petition said that this component has both unproven security and unproven efficiency.
"Thanks to advertising, many believe that antimicrobial agents can provide reliable protection against various diseases," explains Professor Barbara Sattler. "However, as practice shows, such funds help no better than ordinary soapy water."
In addition, a year ago, researchers determined that a chemical antimicrobial agent can accumulate in the bristles of a toothbrush, and these clusters can reach potentially dangerous concentrations.
All of the scientists' warnings about triclosan are described in New Atlas (https://newatlas.com/triclosan-gut-bacteria-inflammation-cancer/54844/).