*4.2.1 Mechanism and toxicity of triclosan*

Triclosan is known to have bacteriologic effects on gram-positive and gramnegative bacteria, as well as antifungal and antiviral properties [53, 56]. Triclosan inhibits lipid synthesis by blocking enoyl-acyl reductase (ENR) of the microorganism. Thus, it prevents the development of the microorganism and its proliferation of division [53].

In 1986 in accordance with the European Union Cosmetics Directive, triclosan has been confirmed that it can be used in materials in contact with foods of up to 0.3% concentration as protective material, 5 mg/kg textile materials (especially in sportswear), and 0.3% concentration of plastic (plastic packaging, brushes) materials [54]. The Japanese government has stated that in cosmetics, the maximum amount of triclosan that can be used is 0.1%. In oral care in Canada, the amount of triclosan allowed in their products is 0.03%, and in cosmetic products it is 0.3%. According to a 2009 report by the Australian government, with regard to triclosan, eyes, respiratory system, and skin have been described as being irritating and toxic to inhalation [57].

Studies on the effects of triclosan on human health are usually carried out with mice, rabbits, dogs, and monkeys [53, 54]. Triclosan is taken into the body through the skin, nose, and mouth during contact with products containing triclosan. In addition, triclosan has contaminated the sea, lake, and groundwater and has reached the food chain, especially from foods such as seafood; triclosan enters the human body [53]. A study of 36 breastfeeding mothers who stated that they used personal care products containing triclosan as a result of a series of studies in America found triclosan in the mothers' milks [53]. Studies have shown that triclosan affects androgens in the male body and estrogen in the female body. Triclosan was found to affect the transport between the fetus and the placenta in the bodies of pregnant sheep, which has been reported that this can cause abnormal development. It has also been reported that triclosan can trigger breast cancers, especially in females. A number of studies on rabbits have been reported to reduce the sperm count in male rabbits and cause tissue destruction in reproductive organs, disrupting masculinity hormones [53].

The thyroid is known to have vital effects on development and metabolism. The thyroid hormone is a highly effective hormone in the development of fetuses and young children. Studies have shown that triclosan lowers thyroid hormone levels in rabbits and changes metamorphosis time in frogs [53, 58].

#### *4.2.2 Triclosan contaminated waste and triclosan accumulation*

Water supplies all over the world have been contaminated with triclosan due to wide commercial use in commercial products. In a 1999–2000 study conducted in the United States, samples from different water sources were examined in terms of 95 different chemicals, and as a result, one of the chemicals with the highest concentration was triclosan. Again, the researchers found a very high amount

**31**

*The Waste Problem of Antimicrobial Finishing DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91863*

water at the end of 10 washings [57].

the pad-dry-cure method [30, 70–72].

and commercialized in recent years [14].

**6. Conclusion**

engaging in more environment-friendly manufacturing [14].

causes a large amount of waste and environmental pollution.

of triclosan in the bodies of marine creatures in particular. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that some of the triclosan in the environment was disrupted by the effect of ultraviolet rays and turned into toxic dioxins. It is reported that the access of dioxins to the food chain will have bad consequences [52]. Because the demolition products of triclosan are also toxic [59]. Again, the formation of cancer is associated with triclosan exposure [59]. According to a study, antimicrobial textile products containing triclosan are sold in 64–84% of the triclosan wash

**5. Bioactive plant-based environment-friendly antimicrobial finishing**

Bio-functionalization of textiles with natural bioactive agents with antimicrobial properties is becoming increasingly important because they are not toxic, skin, and environment-friendly. These antimicrobial compounds extracted from most plants are phenols, polyphenols (simple phenols, phenolic acids, quinines, flavonoids, tannin, coumarin, etc.), terpenoids, essential oils, alcoholicoids, lectins polypeptides, and polyacethylenes. Most of these substances obtained from plants are colorful and are natural antimicrobial dyes and pigments used for the dyeing of both natural and synthetic fibers [30, 60–65]. Eco-friendly pigments can be obtained with fermentation of bacteria and fungi [30, 66, 67]. Different methods are mentioned in the literature to increase washing habits of bioactive vegetablebased antimicrobial compounds uncinated on textile fiber: resin application with cross-binding agent, glyoxal, and glycol [30, 68]; sol-gel matrix of liquid bioactive compounds, such as essential oils [30, 69]; and application with microcaps or with

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural antimicrobial produced against invasive bacteria in human cells. It is also found in honey as a preservative. Antimicrobial activity of hydrogen peroxide against bacteria, mold, fungi, algae, and viruses is known. The finishing processes and substances with hydrogen peroxide have become popular

It is thought that the importance of antimicrobial-effective herbal (such as vegetable wastes etc.) and animal-derived natural materials will increase for reducing the waste load (production, during its lifetime, and at the end of its lifespan) and

In today's world, the role of the textile industry is very important. While the textile industry initially met traditional human needs such as dressing with yarn and fabric production and home textiles, today due to rising living standards, textiles have become much more technological and functional with diversified human requirements. It is also an important industry sector for both countries in the growth and development process (rather than traditional textile production) and countries that have completed their development (rather than high technological textile production). However, despite all these advantages, the textile industry

At different stages of textile production, numerous chemicals and auxiliary substances are used, many of which are toxic and harmful to the environment and human beings. As a result of these production stages, a large amount of solid, liquid, gas, and sludge form waste is exposed and causes pollution. Noise pollution is also another negative result of the textile industry. Textile finishing operations are *The Waste Problem of Antimicrobial Finishing DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91863*

*Waste in Textile and Leather Sectors*

*4.2.1 Mechanism and toxicity of triclosan*

of division [53].

to inhalation [57].

ing masculinity hormones [53].

rabbits and changes metamorphosis time in frogs [53, 58].

*4.2.2 Triclosan contaminated waste and triclosan accumulation*

between 1 and 20%. The report stated that between 2001 and 2005, textile products containing approximately 1 ton of triclosan were used. In the same report, it is stated that triclosan in used in Australia in wool bed-duvet production, upholstery fabrics, towels, woolly textile products, preparatory fabric production, marine and sports clothes, socks, underwear, shoe linings, zippers, gloves, surgical masks, non-woven products, sleeping bags, and insulation textiles [57]. Triclosan can be added to the textile materials during the fiber production stage and can be applied

Triclosan is known to have bacteriologic effects on gram-positive and gramnegative bacteria, as well as antifungal and antiviral properties [53, 56]. Triclosan inhibits lipid synthesis by blocking enoyl-acyl reductase (ENR) of the microorganism. Thus, it prevents the development of the microorganism and its proliferation

In 1986 in accordance with the European Union Cosmetics Directive, triclosan has been confirmed that it can be used in materials in contact with foods of up to 0.3% concentration as protective material, 5 mg/kg textile materials (especially in sportswear), and 0.3% concentration of plastic (plastic packaging, brushes) materials [54]. The Japanese government has stated that in cosmetics, the maximum amount of triclosan that can be used is 0.1%. In oral care in Canada, the amount of triclosan allowed in their products is 0.03%, and in cosmetic products it is 0.3%. According to a 2009 report by the Australian government, with regard to triclosan, eyes, respiratory system, and skin have been described as being irritating and toxic

Studies on the effects of triclosan on human health are usually carried out with mice, rabbits, dogs, and monkeys [53, 54]. Triclosan is taken into the body through the skin, nose, and mouth during contact with products containing triclosan. In addition, triclosan has contaminated the sea, lake, and groundwater and has reached the food chain, especially from foods such as seafood; triclosan enters the human body [53]. A study of 36 breastfeeding mothers who stated that they used personal care products containing triclosan as a result of a series of studies in America found triclosan in the mothers' milks [53]. Studies have shown that triclosan affects androgens in the male body and estrogen in the female body. Triclosan was found to affect the transport between the fetus and the placenta in the bodies of pregnant sheep, which has been reported that this can cause abnormal development. It has also been reported that triclosan can trigger breast cancers, especially in females. A number of studies on rabbits have been reported to reduce the sperm count in male rabbits and cause tissue destruction in reproductive organs, disrupt-

The thyroid is known to have vital effects on development and metabolism. The thyroid hormone is a highly effective hormone in the development of fetuses and young children. Studies have shown that triclosan lowers thyroid hormone levels in

Water supplies all over the world have been contaminated with triclosan due to wide commercial use in commercial products. In a 1999–2000 study conducted in the United States, samples from different water sources were examined in terms of 95 different chemicals, and as a result, one of the chemicals with the highest concentration was triclosan. Again, the researchers found a very high amount

as a finishing process or transferred in the form of coating [57].

**30**

of triclosan in the bodies of marine creatures in particular. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that some of the triclosan in the environment was disrupted by the effect of ultraviolet rays and turned into toxic dioxins. It is reported that the access of dioxins to the food chain will have bad consequences [52]. Because the demolition products of triclosan are also toxic [59]. Again, the formation of cancer is associated with triclosan exposure [59]. According to a study, antimicrobial textile products containing triclosan are sold in 64–84% of the triclosan wash water at the end of 10 washings [57].
