[Pharmwaste] Antibacterial acts as endocrine disruptor

[Tenace, Laurie]

http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2008/jan/science/bw_triclocar
ban.html

Science News -January 2, 2007
Antibacterial acts as endocrine disrupter
Researchers find that a widely used antibacterial compound amplifies natural
hormone effects.
Triclocarban, an antibacterial compound widely used for about 45 years in
personal-care and cleaning products such as soaps, lotions, and sanitizing
wipes, exacerbates the effects of natural testosterone, according to a study
published online November 29 in Endocrinology (2007, DOI:
10.1210/en.2007-1057). Other known endocrine disrupters are estrogenic,
antiestrogenic, antiandrogenic, or androgen mimics.

In the new study, researchers from the University of California Davis and
Yale University exposed human cells and live rats to either triclocarban or
one of a few other polychlorinated diphenyl urea compounds, either alone or
with testosterone, at levels similar to those that can occur in people.
Triclocarban amplified the effects of testosterone, which is present in men,
women, and children. In vitro tests with human cells showed that the
interaction of triclocarban and testosterone was synergistic, including a
signaling increase of 45% in one test. In rats, the combination showed
additive effects of increased mass in several accessory sex organs.

About 1 million pounds of triclocarban are produced for the U.S. market every
year. The antimicrobial is widespread in U.S. waterways and persists in
municipal sludge used for fertilizer. Little is known about the health
effects of long-term, multiple sources of exposure to the antibacterial
compound and its structural cousins, says study coauthor Bill Lasley,
associate director of the Center for Health and the Environment at the
University of California Davis. However, he and his colleagues say the new
evidence suggests that triclocarban and other structurally similar substances
may be playing a role in a wide range of reproductive and developmental
disorders. -ROBERT WEINHOLD

Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us 

Mercury web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

Unwanted Medications web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm




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