Alcohol Gel

The danger of alcohol gel or antibacterial gels containing triclosan

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Scientists have warned of the dangers of triclosan and triclocarban from alcohol gel. Which in turn can be found in soaps, toothpastes, and general cleaning supplies. These are prohibited in countries like the United States, France and Argentina.


Antibacterial gels, used to wash hands are back in the sights of scientists. A call from 200 researchers, mostly Americans, was published June 20 in the scientific journal Perspectives on Environmental Health. This call alerts on the use of triclosan and triclocarban, antimicrobial substances that are often used as preservatives in hygiene or cosmetic products. Scientists recommend avoiding the use of these two preservatives.

Following the ban in 2016 by the US FDA (Health Agency) of two antimicrobial products that are triclosan and triclocarban; found in general public antiseptic soaps, scientists are mobilizing for the extension of this measure, writes the doctor on the specialized site. They remember that this use has lasted for decades and that it is still found in more than 2,000 products such as soaps, toothpaste, detergents, clothes, toys, carpets, plastics and paints.

Triclocarban has been banned since 2008 in France.

Triclocarban has been banned in France since 2008. Therefore, it is absent from these gels. As for triclosan, a European Commission decision of January 27, 2016 prohibits it in "biocides used for human hygiene".

The Florence Declaration on Triclosan and Triclocarban

The Florence Declaration on Triclosan and Trichlorocarbanan documents the consensus of more than 200 scientists and professionals on the dangers and the lack of analytical benefit of the common use of triclosan and triclocarban.

This are the reasons:

1. Triclosan and triclocarban are used as antimicrobials, a type of chemical featured in over 2000 products including soaps, toothpastes, detergents, clothing, toys, rugs, plastics, and paints. In personal hygiene products such as hand soap, there is no evidence that the use of triclosan or triclocarban improves patient or client health or prevented diseases.

2. Triclosan and triclocarban used in products end up in the environment and have been detected in a wide variety of matrices around the world.

3. Triclosan and triclocarban persist in the environment and are a source of toxic and carcinogenic compounds, including dioxins, chloroform, and chlorinated anilines.

4. Triclosan accumulates and partitions human blood and breast milk. Triclosan and triclocarban and their transformation products and by-products bioaccumulate in aquatic plants and animals.

5. Triclosan and triclocarban have harmful effects on aquatic organisms.

6. Humans are included in triclosan and triclocarban by direct contact with personal care products and from other sources, including food, drinking water, and dust. Triclosan is detected in the urine of most of the human beings analyzed.

7. Triclosan and triclocarban are endocrine disruptors and are associated with reproductive and developmental impacts in animal and in vitro studies. The potential implications for reproduction and human development are cause for concern and warrant further study.

8. Human epidemiology and animal studies suggest that exposure to triclosan may increase sensitivity to allergens.

9. Excessive use of triclosan can contribute to antibiotic / antimicrobial resistance and can modify the microbiome.

10. Several authorities, including the FDA, have restricted the use of triclosan and triclocarban in certain types of soaps.

In this statement it was suggested to label all products containing triclosan, triclocarban and other antimicrobials, even in cases where no health claims are made. And further, assess the safety of the antimicrobial and its transformation products throughout the product life cycle, including manufacturing, long-term use, disposal, and environmental release.

Triclosan is known to be an endocrine disruptor, which promotes the growth of resistant bacteria, causing allergies, and causing harm to the environment. Now he is also accused of causing heart problems. The University of California, Davis has just released a study showing a 25% reduction in cardiac output in mice after just 20 minutes of exposure. Fish began to have difficulty swimming after 7 days of exposure. With the release of these products into the environment, they reach our dishes again through the food chain.

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