Triclocarbon, a common synthetic ingredient in soaps used for handwashing, may be helping antibiotic bacteria become more resistant, according to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology.
The synthetic chemical was initially thought incapable of having an effect on bacteria because it doesn't target any specific strains, but that has been disproved, according to Patrick McNamara, PhD, lead researcher on the study and professor at MarquetteUniversity in Milwaukee. Prior research conducted by Dr. McNamara focused on a different synthetic compound found in soaps — triclosan.
"It was found that if bacteria are exposed to triclosan, they can build up tolerance to other antibiotics. Then we did a study two years ago that found out in these mixed cultures... there is a whole slew of bacteria present. When they get exposed to triclosan, they can increase their resistance genes to other antibiotics," Dr. McNamara told WUWM.
What's more, when synthetic soap chemicals like triclosan are washed down a sink it is akin to having antibiotics accumulate wastewater treatment plants. Once these chemicals leave treatment plants and enter bodies of water where they are exposed to sunlight, they can form cancer-causing compounds called dioxins. Dr. McNamara's research also included findings that regardless of triclocarbon's concentration in soap, the genes responsible for antibiotic resistance increased in the bacteria studied.
Dr. McNamara's lab is currently investigating and publishing research about a process called pyrolosis that can remove triclocarbon from biosolids that leave water treatment plants.
"The next step is more the practical side of the research," he told WUWM. "If we put this reactor in the treatment plant and these chemicals go up into the air, can we catch that air and treat that air, basically … we would want to make sure we control that process and ensure that we are completely removing, destroying these chemicals."