Cosmetics: Toxic additives
All content is checked by medical journalists.MunichTriclosan and Triclocarban are certainly not familiar to many. The two chemicals are found in a wide variety of cosmetics, such as soaps and toothpaste. There they should help to render bacteria harmless. But there is increasing evidence that these substances could also be unhealthy for humans.
It is precisely because the points of contact with the antibacterial agents for humans are increasing that it is important to deal with possible effects. Professor Ralf Halden at Arizona State University did just that. He analyzed various scientific papers on triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC). However, he is not entirely satisfied with the data: It has been known for a long time that TCS and TCC are toxic, but there is still a lack of data, according to the author.
Paralyzed muscles
Apparently, the substances do not pass mammals without a trace: TCS presumably blocks calcium channels in animal and human cells as well. These are important for the transmission of information to the muscle cells. So higher concentrations of the substance could trigger muscle weakness. An experiment with mice showed that when the researchers injected TCS into the animals' abdominal cavity, the heart's pumping capacity decreased by up to 25 percent after ten minutes. In another experiment, TCS weakened the animals' grip strength by 18 percent. The scientists do not yet know whether the substances trigger the same effects in humans.
Disturbed signal pathways
There are also studies that suggest that TCS and TCC disrupt the signaling pathways in the cells. In doing so, they could influence the metabolism and behavior or impair the development of children. Other possible side effects are irritation of the eyes and skin, the development of allergies or methaemoglobinemia (in TCC) - red blood cells are converted so that they can no longer carry oxygen. This can be life-threatening for babies.
Formation of antibiotic resistance
TCS and TCC may also trigger the formation of so-called cross-resistance in bacteria. The microorganisms then develop defense mechanisms against antibiotics that have a similar effect as the chemicals. Such antibiotics are doxycycline or ciprofloxacin.
Missed effect
The antibacterial effect counteracts these negative consequences of TCS and TCC. They protect against bacterial infections, disinfect and preserve. However, in order for the products to develop the antibacterial effect at all, they must be used correctly. For example, an antibacterial soap should act for at least 20 to 30 seconds before it is washed off. In hospitals this is observed for hand disinfection, in private households only rarely. The average hand washing time is just six seconds.
"Consumers have no measurable benefits from TCS and TCC," summarizes Halden. For the future, antibacterial substances would have to be found as additives for cosmetics that are better tolerated. (away)
Source: Halden et al .: On the need and speed of regulating triclosan and triclocarban in the United States. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014.
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