Kortlægning af kemiske stoffer i forbrugerprodukter, 73 – Kortlægning af triclosan

Kortlægning af triclosan

2 Summary

Triclosan is used as a preservative and an antibacterial agent in cosmetics, cleaning materials, paint, textiles and plastic products.

The toxicological characteristics of the substance in relation to humans, formation of resistant bacteria as well as impact on the environment have been continuously discussed. As a consequence, the Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with National Board of Health, Statens Serum Institut and the The National Consumer Agency has recommended that products containing triclosan should be avoided. In order to assess the effect of the recommendation, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency requires information of possible changes in the used amount of triclosan in Denmark in the period 2000–2005. The objective of the project was to make a survey of the use of triclosan in Denmark from 2000-2005.

The survey was divided into two steps. The objective of the first step was to make a survey of types of products containing triclosan and was based on literature searches, contact with industrial organizations and field investigations in groceries. 17 different types of cosmetic products were identified as well as a few other types, such as plastic articles and textile products. The most important types of products were considered to be cleaning materials and cosmetics, and consequently the subsequent survey of the amounts concentrated on these types of products. To evaluate the development of the use of triclosan in the period 2000- 2005, Danish producers and suppliers of cleaning materials and cosmetics were contacted. For this purpose, a questionnaire was used. The Association of Danish Cosmetics, Toiletries, Soap and Detergent Industries (SPT) contributed to this part of the project by contacting 77 of their members. DTC contacted additionally 41 companies that were not members of the SPT. These companies were identified by searching in KRAK and comprised both distributors and producers of cleaning materials and cosmetics.

75% of the contacted companies completed the questionnaire. 33% of the companies completing the questionnaire produce or distribute products containing triclosan.

The survey showed that the amount of triclosan in products on the Danish market had decreased from approx. 3.9 to 1.8 tonnes corresponding to a reduction of 54% in the period 2000-2004. Cosmetics are the largest contributor to the amount of triclosan on the Danish market, as cosmetics constitute 99% of the totally reported amount in the survey. The largest amount of triclosan in cosmetics is found in products for dental hygiene, including tooth paste. In this group, the amount has decreased by 37%. Deodorants is the group of cosmetics with the greatest decrease in amount of triclosan (79%). The main part of the contacted companies expects a future decrease in use of triclosan.