Abstract

A REVIEW ON OCCURRENCE, FATE AND TOXICITY OF TRICLOSAN

Kola Ravi Kumar, Padma Rohini, Adul Rasheed Md and Yalavarthy Prameela Devi*

ABSTRACT

Triclosan is a synthetic broad spectrum antimicrobial agent that has a wide array of applications in various personal care and household products. It is one of the priority pollutants of emerging concern which has become controversial in recent times. The release of triclosan into aquatic systems causes adverse effects on the environment and biota. Triclosan being lipophilic tends to accumulate in the adipose tissues of animals, human and has been detected in urine, blood and breast milk. Triclosan and its degradation products are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic that spread through aquatic and terrestrial food chains. It shows potential negative impact on human and animals like endocrine disruption, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects. The ubiquitous use of triclosan has conferred to antibiotic resistance of microorganisms and cross resistance. Therefore, there is a scientific debate on the safety and effectiveness of usage of triclosan. This article is a critical review of triclosan toxicity based on literature. It principally focuses on environmental occurrence, fate and mode of action of triclosan. It also highlights the potential impacts of triclosan on microorganisms, plants, animals and human. It also encompasses its efficacy and its link to microbial resistance and cross-resistance.

Keywords: Triclosan, Endocrine disruptor, Personal care products and Bioaccumulation.