[Occurrence, degradation and potential ecological risks of triclosan in environment.]

Triclosan (TCS) is widely used in many kinds of personal care products due to its good antibacterial properties. However, TCS can enter environment in many ways through the consumption of those personal care products, and result in a series of environmental problem. TCS and its metabolites have their own characteristics such as environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and ecological toxicity, which may bring some potential risks to the ecosystem and human health. We summarized the occurrence and distribution characteristics of TCS in the environment, as well as the possible degradation pathways and products. Furthermore, we systemically introduced the bioavai-lability and the ecotoxicological effects of TCS and its metabolites on the reproduction and genetics of organism, and their potential risks to the ecosystem and human health. Finally, we proposed brief suggestions for further studies of TCS.