Triclosan (Molecule of the Month for June 2004)
Triclosan is a potent wide-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is found in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes and is impregnated in an increasing number of consumer products, such as kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags. It has been shown to be effective in reducing and controlling bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products.
Triclosan is regulated by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by the European Union. In the environment, Triclosan is removed during normal waste treatment processes as shown by extensive environmental studies, and any of it that remains after waste treatment quickly breaks down into other compounds in the environment
Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC)
5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol
click on the picture of Triclosan above to interact
with the 3D model of the
Triclosan structure
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Update by Karl Harrison
(Molecule of the Month for
June 2004
)
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