Association between Urinary Triclosan and Serum Testosterone Levels in U.S. Adult Males from NHANES, 2011–2012

Judy Yan, Michael A. Joseph, Simone A. Reynolds and Laura A. Geer
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Judy Yan: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
Michael A. Joseph: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
Simone A. Reynolds: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
Laura A. Geer: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-9

Abstract: Triclosan was introduced into the market in the 1970s and has since been used as an antimicrobial agent in a diverse array of consumer and personal care products. Although it has been widely used over a number of years, there is growing concern and debate over its safety and efficacy and its potential as an endocrine disruptor. Although prior animal toxicology studies have shown an association between triclosan and decreased testosterone levels, human studies have been limited, particularly for adult men. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (NHANES, 2011–2012), we examined the association of urinary triclosan on testosterone levels in adult men 18–65 years of age. Multivariable linear regression analysis failed to show an association between triclosan and serum testosterone (β = 0.0003, p = 0.98, 95% CI = −0.024, 0.025). The results suggest there is no association or that triclosan concentrations are too low to cause a significant impact on testosterone levels. Additionally, longitudinal studies would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the direction of change and magnitude of causal relationships over time.

Keywords: antimicrobial; triclosan; human exposure; endocrine-disruptor; testosterone; NHANES; antibacterial (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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