63/100

Personal Care

Antibacterial Soap (Triclosan)

Low burden — Antibacterial Soap (Triclosan) is a relatively low-burden choice.

Hand and body washes marketed as antibacterial.

The breakdown

Each driver rated 0 (none) to 10 (worst)

Chemical hazard
3
Everyday exposure
3
Persistence
5

Evidence strength: strong · Detox Score = 100 − hazard×4.6 − exposure×3.4 − persistence×2.6, clamped 1–100.

What this means for you

A Detox Score of 63 places antibacterial soap (triclosan) in the Low band. None of the three drivers is severe, which keeps the burden manageable. Triclosan is a persistent antimicrobial with no proven benefit over plain soap for home use, and it ends up in waterways. Regulators have already pulled it from many products.

Cleaner swap → Plain soap and water — equally effective for everyday handwashing.
See where your whole exposure load is highest — free Exposure Score →

Frequently asked questions

Is antibacterial soap (triclosan) a toxic exposure?

Antibacterial Soap (Triclosan) has a Detox Score of 63 out of 100 (Low burden), which means it is a relatively low-burden choice. Triclosan is a persistent antimicrobial with no proven benefit over plain soap for home use, and it ends up in waterways. Regulators have already pulled it from many products.

What is a safer alternative to antibacterial soap (triclosan)?

A lower-exposure swap for antibacterial soap (triclosan) is: Plain soap and water — equally effective for everyday handwashing. Triclosan is a persistent antimicrobial with no proven benefit over plain soap for home use, and it ends up in waterways. Regulators have already pulled it from many products.

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