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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Fair

Triclosan

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

SEARCH PRODUCTS

Other Concerns

Use restrictions (moderate), Endocrine disruption (low_moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low_moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), and Contamination concerns (high)

SYNONYMS

● C12059
● BR-73001
● FT-0609773
● AC-10667
● ST50826110
● AK-73001
● 5-CHLORO-2-(2,4-DI-CHLORO-PHENOXY)-PHENOL
● TRICLOSAN, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIAL
● SC-16588
● 5-CHLORO-2-(2, 4-DICHLOROPHENOXY)PHENOL

Unacceptable

Unacceptable: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent and preservative used in personal care and home-cleaning products; persistent in the environment and may be associated with endocrine (hormonal) toxicity.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • MODERATE
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • MODERATE
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
foot moisturizer2 products
hand cream1 products
moisturizer1 products
mask3 products
body wash/cleanser1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)2 products
conditioner2 products
tooth whitening5 products
toothpaste25 products
antiperspirant/deodorant5 products
facial moisturizer/treatment2 products
eye shadow5 products
shampoo4 products
facial cleanser2 products
shaving cream (men's)1 products

Contamination concerns

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Chemical
CHLOROFORM
DIOXINS

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more human case studies show possible immune or allergenic effectsThe impact of bisphenol A and triclosan on immune parameters in the US. population, NHANES 2003-2006.(2011-03-01)
Human immune and respiratory toxicant or allergen - strong evidenceAssociation of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as potentially toxic or harmfulTriclosan impairs excitation-contraction coupling and Ca2+ dynamics in striated muscle(2012-08-28)
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada

Endocrine disruption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more studies show endocrine disruption at very low dosesAmphibian metamorphosis as a model for studying the developmental actions of thyroid hormone(1998-01-01)
One or more studies show endocrine disruption at very low dosesThe bactericidal agent triclosan modulates thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic anuran development(2006-12-01)
One or more studies show moderate endocrine disruptionPeer Reviewed Literature

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Wildlife and environmental toxicityEU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes
Suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada
Suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as any irritantEU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes
Classified as eye and skin irritantEU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes

Use restrictions

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmeticsHealth Canada

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlifePeer Reviewed Literature
Persistent or bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humansOrganohalogen Pollutants and Human Health(2017-01-01)
  • The impact of bisphenol A and triclosan on immune parameters in the US. population, NHANES 2003-2006.(2011-03-01)
  • Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
  • Triclosan impairs excitation-contraction coupling and Ca2+ dynamics in striated muscle(2012-08-28)
  • Environment Canada
  • Amphibian metamorphosis as a model for studying the developmental actions of thyroid hormone(1998-01-01)
  • The bactericidal agent triclosan modulates thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic anuran development(2006-12-01)
  • Peer Reviewed Literature
  • EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes
  • Health Canada
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Organohalogen Pollutants and Human Health(2017-01-01)

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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