Beware of Triclosan, an antibacterial ingredient that we often find in personal hygiene products such as liquid hand soaps, intimate cleansers and toothpastes. Triclosan can damage the liver and cause severe damage such as liver fibrosis and tumors.
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Attention to Triclosan, an ingredient antibacterial which we often find in personal hygiene products such as liquid hand soaps, intimate cleansers and toothpastes. Triclosan can damage the liver and cause severe damage such as liver fibrosis and tumors.
For some time the possible danger of Triclosan has been discussed and now there are confirmations from a study conducted at the University of California and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study in questione porta il titolo di “The commonly used antimicrobial additive Triclosan is a liver tumor promoter”.
At present the research was conducted on an animal model with long-term exposure to this substance which led to damage the functioning of the liver and to trigger liver fibrosis and the appearance of tumors.
Starting from this study, experts confirmed the risk of liver toxicity for humans, which outweighs the moderate advantage that Triclosan may have due to its antimicrobial efficacy. This was pointed out by Robert H, Tukey, author of the study and a chemistry expert.
Risk times for human exposure to Triclosan and liver damage have been estimated by experts referring to a total of 18 years. Prolonged exposure to Triclosan, therefore, could lead to one increased risk and frequency of liver disease, with particular reference to tumors.
According to the new study, Triclosan is dangerous as it interferes with the development of the androstane receptor. It is a protein that deals with metabolizing chemicals that are foreign to the body. When this protein gets damaged, that's it proliferation of liver cells which over time can lead to liver fibrosis.
Furthermore, Triclosan remains in breast milk and urine, as highlighted by recent studies. The experts suggest to eliminate Triclosan from products where it is practically useless, such as liquid soaps, in order to reduce our contact with this ingredient through products of daily use. In the United States, Triclosan could be soon banned, while in Europe is under observation.
A safety limit of 0,3% has been established regarding the concentration of Triclosan in products such as toothpastes, deodorants, hand or body cleansers. However, these are products that we use every day. According to one recent study, antibacterial soaps would increase the risk of infections precisely because of Triclosan. When in doubt, better read the labels carefully and try to avoid cleansers, deodorants and toothpastes that contain Triclosan.
Marta Albè
Read also:
Triclosan in detergents and cosmetics soon banned in the US?
Antibacterial soaps: increase the risk of infections due to Triclosan
Tips for choosing healthy and natural soap
