UPSC Prelims 2021 Q75: Triclosan and Its Health Risks — Explained
'Triclosan', considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?
- Food preservatives
- Fruit-ripening substances
- Reused plastic containers
- Toiletries
Answer: (d) Toiletries
Statement-wise explanation
- a: incorrect — Triclosan is not a food preservative. The common preservatives are compounds like sodium benzoate, potassium metabisulphite, sorbic acid and common salt or sugar. Triclosan is an antimicrobial added to products used on the skin and in the mouth, not to food.
- b: incorrect — Fruit is ripened with ethylene gas or ethephon. Illegally, it is ripened with calcium carbide, which releases acetylene and is banned in India under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. Triclosan plays no part in ripening.
- c: incorrect — The worry with reused or heated plastic containers is chemicals leaching out of the plastic itself, mainly bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. Triclosan is not a plastic additive that leaches out with reuse, so this option names the wrong chemical.
- d: correct — Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent. It has been used in soaps, hand washes, toothpastes, deodorants and other personal-care products. In September 2016 the US FDA barred it, along with 18 other active ingredients, from consumer antiseptic wash products, mainly over unproven benefit, hormone-disruption concerns and bacterial resistance. It is still allowed in some toothpastes within set limits.
How to eliminate
This question mostly tests whether you know the fact. Logic helps a little. The '-clo-' in the name points to a chlorinated compound, and 'tri-' is a chemical prefix, which suggests an industrial antimicrobial rather than a food additive. If you know the usual chemical in each option, you can rule out three: food preservatives (benzoates, sulphites), fruit ripening (ethylene, calcium carbide) and reused plastics (BPA, phthalates). The fact to remember: triclosan = antibacterial agent in soaps, hand washes, toothpastes and deodorants, restricted in US consumer soaps in 2016.
Know more
Triclosan is a synthetic, chlorinated antimicrobial. It has been in use since the 1960s and spread from hospital scrubs into everyday personal-care products.
Why it is a concern
- Endocrine disruption: its structure resembles thyroid hormone, and animal studies link it to lower thyroxine levels.
- Antimicrobial resistance: bacteria exposed to it in the lab can become resistant, including cross-resistance to some antibiotics.
- Environment: it passes through sewage treatment, is highly toxic to algae and aquatic life, and some of its breakdown products (chlorinated dioxins) are more harmful than triclosan itself.
- Little benefit: the US FDA found no evidence that antibacterial soaps work better than plain soap and water.
Regulatory timeline
| Year | Action |
|---|---|
| 2016 | US FDA bars triclosan and 18 other actives from consumer antiseptic washes (effective 2017) |
| 2016 | EU stops approving triclosan for human-hygiene biocidal products |
| Ongoing | Still allowed in some toothpastes within limits (commonly 0.3%), where it reduces plaque and gingivitis |
Common confusions: match the chemical to the product
| Product | Chemical of concern |
|---|---|
| Toiletries | Triclosan, parabens, triclocarban |
| Reused or heated plastics | Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates |
| Artificial fruit ripening | Calcium carbide (banned), ethephon (permitted) |
| Food preservatives | Sodium benzoate, sulphites, nitrites |
| Non-stick cookware | PFAS / PFOA |
UPSC often pairs a lesser-known chemical with everyday products. Learn each one as a chemical-to-product pair.