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Triclosan: applications and safety
1Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, Boston 02115, USA.
American Journal of Infection Control
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Triclosan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, is safe for personal care products and shows promise for oral care applications like plaque control. Its established safety profile supports its widespread use.
Area of Science:
- Antimicrobial agents
- Personal care product ingredients
- Dermatology
Background:
- Triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether) is a widely used nonionic, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.
- Its favorable safety profile has led to its incorporation into numerous personal care products.
- Triclosan demonstrates moderate skin substantivity, providing a residual antimicrobial effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the safety and applications of triclosan.
- To evaluate its efficacy in personal care products and emerging oral care uses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing toxicological data (acute, subacute/subchronic, chronic toxicity).
- Assessment of human safety data regarding skin irritation and sensitization.
- Evaluation of triclosan's application in personal care and oral hygiene products.
Main Results:
- Triclosan is not an acute oral toxicant, carcinogen, mutagen, or teratogen.
- While high exposure can cause dermal irritation in animals, it rarely causes skin issues in humans within formulated products.
- Triclosan is effective for plaque control in oral dentifrices, approved in Canada and Europe.
Conclusions:
- Triclosan possesses a favorable safety profile for use in personal care products.
- Its application is expanding into oral hygiene, demonstrating efficacy in plaque control.
- Further investigation in the United States supports its potential in oral dentifrices.