Triclosan
Triclosan is a potent wide-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is manufactured in the United States by Ciba Specialty Chemicals, under their trade name Irgasan DP300, and by several other manufacturers outside of the U.S..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.
However, an article in the August 6, 1998 issue of Nature warned that its overuse could cause resistant strains of bacteria to develop, in much the same way that antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains are emerging. Researchers from the Tufts University School of Medicine found that triclosan has a specific action on bacterial cells, meaning that it could be considered an antibiotic. The findings lead the researchers to warn that bacterial resistance to triclosan is a distinct possibility, and that its widespread use may be unwise.
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