Triclsosan – A Dirty Cancer Causing Additive in Soaps and Toothpaste

Featured Image Caption: Triclosan Cancer

Triclosan, antimicrobial additives persists in many liquid hand soaps and other household products. Its widespread usage and long term exposure has reported serious effect leading cancer in laboratory mice.

Do you know this mind shaking fact? Hygiene products that you and your family bring in use each and every day may contain toxins that are directly linked to cancer, eyesight problem and even death. Have you checked out ingredients in your soap and toothpaste? If not, get your toothpaste and soap right now and see what the disaster available is there.On November 17, a chemical ingredient of soaps, cosmetics, detergents, toothpaste and shampoos has been found to trigger liver cancer in mice. Several concerns are being raised that how safe it is for human. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent is commonly found in soap, shampoos, toothpaste and other household products.

Even though using widely, researchers have reported several serious consequences by long term exposure to this chemical. Their study published by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that triclosan causes liver fibrosis and cancer in lab mice. Liver fibrosis causes persistent inflammation where fibrous scar tissue forms around the liver cells and blood cells. With the increasing time it causes cirrhosis which in turn cause the liver stop functioning.The study found that mice when fed with 3 grams of triclosan daily for nearly 6 months got suffered from liver damage. When induced by other carcinogenic agents, it got more vulnerable to liver tumors. According to the research conducted, one gram of toothpaste contains about 0.03% triclosan while 6 months in mice is relatively equal to about 18 years in human.

However, the scientists who carried out the latest study said that the link between liver cancer and triclosan in laboratory mice is relevant to human health, because, the chemical has the tendency to bring similar changes in human.The study reported that triclosan damage liver by interfering with a protein called constitutive androstane receptor, which is responsible to detoxify blood. To balance for this interference, the liver proliferates and turns fibrotic causing fibrosis and cancer.

What is Triclosan?

Triclosan is a chlorophenol (chlorinated hydrocarbons + phenol), a class of chemicals that is incredible in causing cancers in human. Long term  exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons can cause liver damage, kidneys in-function, lungs, hearts, hormonal disruption, suppress immune system, sterility, brain hemorrhages and sterility. Phenol, when taken internally can lead to circulatory collapse, cold sweats, coma, convulsions and death.