Antibacterial Compound Triclosan: Contaminating Nation’s Waterways (can convert into dioxin)

[G_j]

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/antibacterial/environmental/index.htm

Triclosan: Environmental Fate and Effects

Over 95% of the uses of triclosan are in consumer products that are disposed of in residential drains. As a result, widespread use of triclosan and other antibacterial compounds result in contamination of the nation’s waterways, with triclosan being the most prevalent contaminant not removed by typical wastewater treatment plants. In fact, triclosan has been detected in wastewater, activated sludge, surface water, and sediments. According to a U.S. Geological Survey study of 95 different organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, triclosan was one of the most frequently detected compounds and at some of the highest concentrations. In spring 2008, national news reports exposed the prevalence of pharmaceuticals in the nation’s watersheds, including high concentration of antibacterial compounds.

The prevalence of triclosan in the nation’s waterways is a cause for concern since triclosan is converted into dioxin- a highly toxic compound, when exposed the sunlight in an aqueous environment. Triclosan can also combine with chlorine in tap water to form chloroform, which is listed as a probable human carcinogen.

Triclosan has been found to be highly toxic to different types of algae, keystone organisms for complex aquatic ecosystems, and as been detected at high concentration in earthworms.

Triclosan is lipophilic and as a result is readily available for absorption and bioaccumulation in fatty tissues, especially by aquatic organisms. Studies have found that fish accumulated significant concentrations of triclosan metabolites. Even though little is known about the effects of triclosan on wildlife, one study found that triclosan disrupts thyroid hormone-associated gene expression in the North American bullfrog. Other antibacterial chemicals, like triclocarban- triclosan’s cousin, has been shown to have an amplification effect on the activity of natural hormones, which in turn can lead to adverse reproductive and developmental effects. This suggests that triclosan and triclocarban may be endocrine disruptors.

Resources

Environmental Fate:

Fate of triclosan & evidence for reductive dechlorination of triclocarban in estuarine sediments (Environmental Science & Technology, 2008)

Formation of chloroform and other chlorinated byproducts by chlorination of triclosan-containing antibacterial products (Environmental Science & Technology, 2007)

Photolytic degradation of triclosan in freshwater and seawater (Chemosphere, 2007)

Monitoring the photochemical degradation of triclosan in wastewater by UV light and sunlight using solid-phase microextraction (Chemosphere, 2006)

Co-Occurrence of triclocarban and triclosan in U.S. water resources (Environmental Science & Technology, 2005)

Pharmaceuticals, hormones and other organic wastewater contaminants in U. S. streams, 1999-2000 (U.S. Geological Survey, 2002)

Occurrence and environmental behavior of the bactericide triclosan and its methyl derivative in surface waters and in wastewater (Environmental
Science & Technology, 2002)

Confirmation of the formation of dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the photodegradation of triclosan by photo-SPME (Analytical and Bioanalytical Chem, 2005)

Aquatic Toxicity:

Bioaccumulation of Pharmaceuticals and Other Anthropogenic Waste Indicators in Earthworms from Agricultural Soil Amended With Biosolid or Swine Manure (Environ Sci& Tech, 2008)

The bactericidal agent triclosan modulates thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic anuran development (Aquatic Tox., 2006)

Occurrence of methyl triclosan, a transformation product of the bactericide triclosan, in fish from various lakes in Switzerland (Environ Sci & Tech, 2004)

Effects of pharmaceutical & personal care products on natural freshwater algae (Environ. Sci. & Tech, 2003)

Developmental evaluation of a potential non-steroidal estrogen: triclosan (Marine Environ. Research, 2000)

[avaistheone1]

1. Alternatives to Triclosan:

A comprehensive analysis from the University of Michigan School of Public Health indicated that plain soaps are just as effective as consumer-grade antibacterial soaps with triclosan in preventing illness and removing bacteria from the hands.<28>

Non-organic antibiotics and biocides are effective alternatives to triclosan, such as silver and copper ions and nanoparticles.<29>

The herbs thyme, oregano, and other essential plant oils have been synthesized into a broadspectrum antimicrobial which is purported to work as well as alcohol-based sanitizers.<30>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan




Also~
Uses

Triclosan has been used since 1972, and it is present in soaps (0.10-1.00%), deodorants, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth washes, and cleaning supplies, and is infused in an increasing number of consumer products, such as kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags. Triclosan has been shown to be effective in reducing and controlling bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products. More recently, showering or bathing with 2% triclosan has become a recommended regimen for the decolonization of patients whose skin is carrying methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)<2> following the successful control of MRSA outbreaks in several clinical settings.<3><4>

Triclosan is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the European Union. During wastewater treatment, a portion of triclosan is degraded, while the remaining adsorbs to sewage sludge or exits the plant in wastewater effluent.<5><6> In the environment, triclosan may be degraded by microorganisms or react with sunlight, forming other compounds, which may include chlorophenols and dioxin, or it may adsorb to particles that settle out of the water column and form sediment.<5><7> Triclosan was found in Greifensee sediment that was over 30 years old, suggesting that triclosan is degraded or removed slowly in sediment.<5>





I didn't realize this chemical is in so many consumer products. I am ramping up my mission to get products with this chemical out of my home.

[G_j]

2. Many think this is what creates the resistant bacteria

found in hospitals etc. I've heard doctors who much prefer plain soap.

[Karenina]

4. Mother Earth may now be embracing Nomo Sapiens.

[G_j]

5. ==

:wow:

[greencharlie]

3. how nice... like some sci-fi movie about man poisoning himself... nt