Health care worker exposures to the antibacterial agent triclosan.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We sought to quantify absorption of triclosan, a potential endocrine disruptor, in health care workers with occupational exposure to soap containing this chemical.

Methods

A cross-sectional convenience sample of two groups of 38 health care workers at separate inpatient medical centers: hospital 1 uses 0.3% triclosan soap in all patient care areas; hospital 2 does not use triclosan-containing products. Additional exposure to triclosan-containing personal care products was assessed through a structured questionnaire. Urine triclosan was quantified and the occupational contribution estimated through regression modeling.

Results

Occupational exposure accounted for an incremental triclosan burden of 206 ng/mL (P = 0.02), while triclosan-containing toothpaste use

SUBMITTER: MacIsaac JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4133120 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature