Triclosan: Source Attribution, Urinary Metabolite Levels and Temporal Variability in Exposure Among Pregnant Women in Canada

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To measure urinary triclosan levels and their variability across pregnancy, and to identify sources of triclosan exposure among Canadian pregnant women. METHODS: Single spot and serial urine samples, as well as consumer product use information were collected across pregnancy and post-partum from 80 healthy pregnant women in Ottawa. Analyses included descriptives, linear mixed effects and parametric trend modeling, and surrogate category analysis. RESULTS: Triclosan was detected in 87% of maternal urine samples (LOD=3.0 µg/L). Triclosan concentrations varied by time of day of urine collection (p=0.0006), season of sampling (p=0.019), and parity (p=0.038). Triclosan was included in 4% of all personal care products used by participants; 89% of these triclosan products were varying brands of toothpaste and hand soaps. CONCLUSION: This study provided the first data on temporal variability urinary triclosan levels, and on source attribution data in Canadian pregnant women. Results will assist with population-specific exposure assessment strategies.