title: On the need and speed of regulating triclosan and triclocarban in the United States.
abstract: The polychlorinated aromatic antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban are in widespread use for killing microorganisms indiscriminately, rapidly, and by nonspecific action. While their utility in healthcare settings is undisputed, benefits to users of antimicrobial personal care products are few to none. Yet, these latter, high-volume uses have caused widespread contamination of the environment, wildlife, and human populations. This feature article presents a timeline of scientific evidence and regulatory actions in the U.S. concerning persistent polychlorinated biocides, showing a potential path forward to judicious and sustainable uses of synthetic antimicrobials, including the design of greener and safer next-generation alternatives.
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Security and Defense Systems Initiative, Arizona State University , 781 E. Terrace Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States.
authors.forename: Rolf U
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Halden
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis; D002224:Carbanilides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000187:drug effects; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D014260:Triclosan / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002224:Carbanilides; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D014260:Triclosan; C009540:triclocarban