Do you like cleanliness, as people like it in the ads for powder and soap? Do you like purity, as it should be loved? If so, you are probably using toothpaste, soap, and powder with triclosan. Triclosan is included as one of the components of more than 700 cosmetic and hygienic preparations, including soap, toothpaste and washing powders. However, information on the presence of this ingredient may not appear on the product label.

A substance called "triclosan" was synthesized in 1965 in Switzerland. It was only used as part of washing powder, preventing bacteria from multiplying and preventing an unpleasant odor. Since 1985, triclosan has entered soap, then into several hundred varieties of cosmetic products, including toothpaste, creams and lotions. It is also added to plastic, polymers, textiles and implantable medical devices. Dr. I. Perenkevich (Boston, Massachusetts) presented data from a multicenter study that examined 733 samples of solid soap and 395 liquid soap: 26.4% solid soap and 75.7% liquid soap produced in the United States States contain antibacterial drugs (triclosan and triclogard). So if you have household chemicals at home, they are very likely to contain triclosan, whether you like it or not. Everyone knows its positive role through promoting toothpaste and very useful soaps containing this component, so let's focus on the negative side.

First, scientists say there is practically no difference between triclosan soap and regular soap. Modern sources recommend washing your hands with triclosan soap only if there are cuts, wounds and in other cases, use the soap you like. All of them temporarily allow you to get rid of 99% of the bacteria. And the purity of the skin does not depend on the triclosan, but on the frequency of washing. Studies have found no difference in the incidence of infections in homes where they use regular and antibacterial soap.

Second, the antimicrobial activity of triclosan has long been considered non-specific. However, at present, it is known that triclosan inhibits lipid biosynthesis, most probably due to the action on enoyl reductase, the synthesis of which is responsible for the fabI gene. In the experiment, it was proved that mutations in the fabI gene and in genes coding for the active non-specific ejection system (acrAB, marA , soxS ) may lead to the development of resistance to triclosan. These studies confirm fears that, due to the widespread use of triclosan, the spread of resistance to it is very likely.

Third, as resistance to triclosan may be due to a non-specific active release system, with its widespread use, potentiation of resistance to other antimicrobial agents is possible.

Fourth, scientist Peter Wiksland explored how the chemical triclosan, which is part of an antibacterial soap, interacts with the chlorine in tap water. It has been found that upon contact, chloroform has formed, which is considered a possible carcinogen. What this means for the consumer is not yet clear. It is likely that we inhale its vapors while washing the dishes. It can also be absorbed by the body through the skin of the hands. It is also possible that the triclosan in a moisturizer or lotion will react with chlorine when a person takes a shower.

Fifth, scientists from the University of Minnesota have shown that dioxin, an extremely toxic substance, can form during the photochemical reactions of triclosan. As you know, it is dioxin, according to Austrian doctors, that Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned. Dioxin does not degrade over time and can accumulate in the tissues. Even a small amount is dangerous. Given the widespread use of triclosan in the production of hygiene products and detergents, information from scientists should alert doctors and consumers.

Sixth, it's interesting, they say - sixth? Are there already too many points against triclosan? In short, products containing triclosan are naturally more expensive than their "primitive" parents. Manufacturers want to make extra money with products that are widely and at high cost. The advertising of antibacterial detergents is based on the fact that they not only wash, but kill germs. Many buyers, considering the destruction of microbes as a more reliable way to protect themselves from infection, to buy antibacterial soap and in the past ten years, its sales worldwide have increased markedly.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expert council has said that manufacturers of antibacterial soaps and other similar detergents will need to prove that their products have advantages over regular soaps. Otherwise, the sale of these funds may be limited.

We hope this article has helped bring triclosan out of the dark, because even the ancients knew there were two sides to a problem. Who, if not the doctors, should know about it.