Triclosan: Current Status, Occurrence, Environmental Risks and Bioaccumulation Potential

Abstract

Triclosan (TCS) is a multi-purpose antimicrobial agent used as a common ingredient in everyday household personal care and consumer products. The expanded use of TCS provides a number of pathways for the compound to enter the environment and it has been detected in sewage treatment plant effluents; surface; ground and drinking water. The physico-chemical properties indicate the bioaccumulation and persistence potential of TCS in the environment. Hence, there is an increasing concern about the presence of TCS in the environment and its potential negative effects on human and animal health. Nevertheless, scarce monitoring data could be one reason for not prioritizing TCS as emerging contaminant. Conventional water and wastewater treatment processes are unable to completely remove the TCS and even form toxic intermediates. Considering the worldwide application of personal care products containing TCS and inefficient removal and its toxic effects on aquatic organisms, the compound should be considered on the priority list of emerging contaminants and its utilization in all products should be regulated.

Triclosan-Evoked Neurotoxicity Involves NMDAR Subunits with the Specific Role of GluN2A in Caspase-3-Dependent Apoptosis

“…Due to both its anti-bacterial and anti-mould properties, it is added to a wide range of personal care and sanitising products as well as to household items or medical devices [1][2][3][4][5]. The main source of TCS in the environment is in personal care products, which contain 0.1% to a maximum of 0.3% TCS [6,7]. Due to its lipophilicity, TCS can easily pass through biological barriers and can be accumulated in living organisms [6,8].…”

Cosmetic Ingredients as Emerging Pollutants of Environmental and Health Concern. A Mini-Review

“…Exposure to TCS can produce negative effects on human health, including thyroid function impairment, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and liver carcinogenesis ( [44] and the literature therein). All data available on the environmental presence of TCS and its by-products and its health implications suggest that this compound should be considered a priority pollutant [143].…”

Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) Fibers: in situ Measurements of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Seawater

“…In this context, organisms are in contact with these contaminants through these different compartments [1][2][3] where the assimilation/uptake can occur through active and passive mechanisms. 4 Bioavailability is a dynamical process involving exposure time and intensity considering physical, chemical and biological interactions including association/ dissociation, transport and uptake.…”