Collegiate Times

Recent research here at Virginia Tech shows that the most commonly utilized anti-microbial agent, triclosan, may be a potential hazard when mixed with tap water. The research is lead by Peter Vikesland, assistant professor of environmental engineering.

A common ingredient in antibacterial soaps and other disinfectants, triclosan, is suspected of mixing with free chlorine or chloramines in tap water to form chloroform, a potential toxin and suspected carcinogen.  

“Chlorine, or some derivative, is typically used in water supplies to help reduce microbial numbers in drinking water and swimming pools,” said Richard Seyler, assistant professor of biology.

The intent of triclosan in antibacterial products is similar to that of chlorine, to kill microbes.

Vikesland, his team of graduate students and a few collaborators at the University of Minnesota, became interested in the topic of triclosan when a report came out talking about pharmaceuticals and personal care products being found in water ways around the country. The research began about four years ago.

“Basically,” Vikesland said, “what we’ve found is that the chlorine present in many tap waters can react with the compound triclosan, present in microbial soaps. Under some conditions, the reactions can cause the production of chloroform and other chlorinated organic materials.”

Chlorine is added to some tap waters in the drinking water treatment process as a preventative measure for the growth of microorganisms as they move from the treatment plant to the tap. It is there to kill off anything that might grow in the water.

The danger of mixing chlorine or chloramines in tap water with triclosan in some antimicrobial products is the production of chloroform. The actual effects and danger are currently unknown, but chloroform is a regulated compound because it is a potential carcinogen.

According to Vikesland, the findings in the experimental lab on campus are concrete. However, the effects of triclosan and chlorine or a chlorine derivative on people and in the household are unknown.

“Since we haven’t done and really can’t do exposure studies to people, it’s hard to extrapolate what we have done,” Vikesland said.