A common antimicrobial and antifungal agent found in many consumer products ranging from hand soaps to toys and even toothpaste, may rapidly disrupt bacterial communities found in the gut, a new study suggests.
Triclosan is one of the most common antimicrobial agents in the world, found in shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, mouth washes, kitchen utensils, cutting boards, toys, bedding, socks and trash bags, researchers said.
It continues to be used in medical settings, and can be easily absorbed through the skin, they said. “There is now a growing awareness of the importance of the bacteria in our gut microbiome for human health, and the overuse of antibiotics that can lead to the rise of ‘superbugs’,” said Thomas Sharpton from Oregon State University (OSU) in the US.