Pesticide in Soap, Toothpaste and Breast Milk - Is It Kid-Safe?: Triclosan in Consumer Products

Triclosan is found in a broad array of everyday products.

Daily, people are exposed to triclosan via “antibacterial” liquid hand soaps, dishwashing detergents, and body care products including toothpaste and deodorant. Skin Deep, EWG’s cosmetics safety database, contains 932 examples of body care products with triclosan, including antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) (174); facial cleanser (103); liquid hand soap (112); antiperspirant/deodorant (74); acne treatment (58); body wash/cleanser (57); facial moisturizer/treatment (47); toothpaste (47); shaving cream (men's) (27); and bar soap (27).

The market success of "antibacterial" products is not surprising: such products appear to provide that extra level of protection from infection that many people seek. However, both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee express a strong concern about lack of efficacy of triclosan in body care products such as hand lotions and soaps. AMA has publicly stated that, "it may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products" (Tan 2002). 40 researchers from 13 universities and public health institutions worldwide echoed this conclusion in numerous publications. As summarized by researchers from the University of Michigan, Tufts University School of Medicine, and Columbia University: "Currently, no evidence suggests that use of antibacterial soap containing 0.2% triclosan provides a benefit over plain soap in reducing bacterial counts and rate of infectious symptoms in generally healthy persons in the household setting" (Aiello 2005).

In addition to antibacterial soaps and detergents, a wide variety of everyday products may expose unsuspecting shoppers to triclosan. Consumers may not realize that this pesticide is commonly added to many plastics, textiles, and other materials used to make everyday items. EWG's review of EPA registration documents associated with commercial-use triclosan preparations revealed a surprisingly extensive list of other products allowed to contain this antimicrobial agent (EPA 2008d; NPIRS 2008). [See all triclosan-containing products in a home] [See all triclosan pesticide mixtures approved in the US]

Even armed with information about the potential negative impacts of antimicrobial chemicals, a consumer who seeks to make environmentally sustainable choices may find it difficult to determine which products actually contain triclosan. While personal care products must list their ingredients according to FDA regulation, the majority of triclosan-containing consumer products under EPA’s purview do not need to meet such requirements. In some cases, manufacturers are honest about the antimicrobials they use, although they may bury their names in small print on back labels. In other cases, companies withhold the exact antibacterial ingredient and its concentration in the final consumer product. Often the same brand name is used to cover a variety of antimicrobial preparations, thus depriving the consumer of the option to make an informed, independent choice.

Incomplete or altogether absent labeling leaves consumers in the dark regarding the presence of triclosan in everyday products, undoubtedly one factor explaining the presence of triclosan in the bodies of 75% of Americans (Calafat 2008). Consumers are entitled to the right to make decisions for themselves concerning their health, including decisions to avoid exposures to pesticides. However, this freedom to choose is only possible if manufacturers are transparent about the antimicrobial ingredients added to their products. Manufacturers should be required to disclose full information whenever triclosan or other pesticides are added to a consumer product. The health of children and other vulnerable populations is left at potential risk, both from EPA's failure to assess children's health, and from industry's unwillingness to provide the basic data needed to ensure that products are safe.

Triclosan is one of literally hundreds of industrial chemicals that pollute the human body at any given time. In addition to triclosan, triclocarban is another common antibacterial ingredient in personal care products, most commonly added to bar soaps. Under the disguise of misleading and even illegal marketing claims, such as “kills bacteria,” "fights germs," "protection against mold," “odor-fighting” or “keeps food fresher, longer,” antimicrobial pesticides find their way into people’s homes (EPA 2008e), potentially endangering the health of unsuspecting shoppers. EPA and FDA must consider the cumulative effects of exposures to triclosan in consumer products, in early life and over a lifetime, if they are to meet their mandate to protect public health.