Undeniably, cosmetics are expensive and it breaks our bank a little every time we pick up an item at Sephora. As such, we often utilise our products to the capacity of their lifespan, before discarding them. But how is that possible? It is thanks to the addition Triclosan that is widely found in our cosmetics products. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent used as a preservative in water-based formulations for products. As an antibacterial ingredient, it also combats bacteria and fungus, while preventing odour. (No wonder, our cosmetics smell so good.) As such, this helps to extend the shelf life of cosmetics products. However, it is not without its environmental impacts. Triclosan is an air pollutant, a water pollutant, a soil pollutant. Specifically, this blog focuses on soil pollution.

Inputs of triclosan into soils are primarily associated with the secondary disposal of domestic wastewater and biosolids (Harrow et al., 2011). Due to their particular chemistry, they are highly resistant to natural degradation and can accumulate in our environment over time. This is especially so in soil strata where light is not adequately available, making its degradation even more prolonged. A study by Halden’s research team revealed that remnants of triclosan used in New York and other coastal cities approximately 50 years ago still persisted to this day in the coastal sediments of the East Coast. Given the persistency of Triclosa in the soil, exposure to triclosan has a negative impact on the culturable heterotrophic microbial community in soil. With microbial biomass in soils accounting for most biological activity (60–80%) in the pedosphere, this consequently has an impact on the nutrient cycles as well as ecosystem stability and resilience (Bloem & Didden, 2004).

While we may have a superficial understanding of the negative impacts our human activities have on the environment, we remain oblivious to what may be out of sight – the soil beneath our feet. Yet, the soil provides ecosystem services critical for life, including us.

 

References

Bloem, J., & Didden, W. A. M. (2004). Measuring soil biodiversity: Experiences, impediments and research needs. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40125612_Measuring_soil_biodiversity_experiences_impediments_and_research_needs

Harrow, D. I., Felker, J. M., & Baker, K. H. (2011). Impacts of triclosan in greywater on soil microorganisms. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2011, e646750. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/646750