Triclosan exposure and allergic sensitization in Norwegian children

Background Exposure to the synthetic antimicrobial chemical, triclosan, used in personal care products, has been hypothesised to lead to allergic disease. We investigated whether triclosan exposure was associated with allergic sensitisation and symptoms in 10-year-old Norwegian children. Methods Urinary concentrations of triclosan were measured in one first morning void from 623 children, collected during 2001–2004. Logistic regression models, controlling for urine specific gravity, parental allergic disease, maternal education, and household income, were fitted for allergic sensitisation (either skin prick test positivity or serum-specific IgE ≥ 0.35 kU/l to at least one of 15 evaluated inhalant and food allergens), current rhinitis, and current asthma (questionnaire and exercise challenge test). Results The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for allergic sensitisation among those in the fourth quartile of triclosan concentration was 2.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 3.4] compared with the reference group (<the limit of detection), and the aOR per log10 unit increase in triclosan was 1.2 (95% CI: 1.0, 1.4). The aOR for current rhinitis was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1, 3.4) for the fourth quartile and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.4) per log10 unit increase in triclosan. Conclusion Triclosan concentrations were associated with allergic sensitisation, especially inhalant and seasonal allergens, rather than food allergens. Current rhinitis was associated with the highest levels of triclosan, whereas no association was seen for current asthma. These results are consistent with recent findings in other studies and provide additional evidence for an association between triclosan and allergy.