What is the Difference Between Triclosan and Triclocarban?

Triclosan and triclocarban are both antimicrobial agents used in various consumer products, but they have some differences in their appearance, properties, and applications. Here are the key differences between triclosan and triclocarban:

1. Appearance: Triclosan is a white solid with a slight phenolic odor, while triclocarban occurs as white plates or white powder with a characteristic odor.
2. Applications: Triclosan is primarily used in liquid soaps, toothpastes, and mouthwashes, where it helps fight plaque germs that cause many oral health problems. Triclocarban, on the other hand, is mainly used in soap bars and has been phased out of most consumer products due to concerns about its safety and environmental impact.
3. Environmental Persistence: Both triclosan and triclocarban persist in the environment, but triclocarban has a longer half-life, with predicted half-lives of 60 days in water, 120 days in soil, and 540 days in sediment.
4. Safety: Triclosan and triclocarban have been declared safe for consumer use by expert bodies, including Europe's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). However, concerns have been raised about their potential impact on the environment and human health, leading to the removal of triclocarban from most consumer products and restrictions on triclosan use in certain applications.

In summary, triclosan and triclocarban are both antimicrobial agents with similar properties, but they differ in their appearance, applications, and environmental persistence. While they have been deemed safe for consumer use, concerns about their impact on the environment and human health have led to restrictions and phase-outs in certain products.

Comparative Table: Triclosan vs Triclocarban

Triclosan and triclocarban are both broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents used in various consumer products, such as soaps, detergents, and toothpaste. However, there are some differences between the two:

Triclocarban has been phased out from personal care products such as soap and lotions. Triclosan is still used in some products, but there has been a shift towards using alternative antibacterial ingredients, including natural and nature-inspired ingredients, in recent years.