Triclosan: Fate in the environment and perspectives in the treatment of public water supply

Abstract

In recent years there has been a great concern with the pollutants emerging from the group of compounds that are found in the environment at concentrations ng L1 to μg L-1. Among these, we highlight the compound triclosan, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol, which, due to its antimicrobial action, is used in personal care products with bactericidal action and as preservative in cosmetics. The reduction in the quality of drinking water as a consequence of incomplete removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products is of great concern since exposure to these products may affect biological organisms. This paper focuses on the discharge of triclosan into water bodies, their fate and toxicity in the environment as well as the conventional treatments and new alternatives for water treatment process.