A Soap Chemical and BPS Are Synergistically Toxic Together
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/7/2026
Two common chemicals that people encounter daily, triclocarban (TCC) from antibacterial soap and bisphenol S (BPS) from plastics, cause synergistic toxicity when combined. The damage is worse than either chemical alone.
What the Study Found
A 2026 study in J Hazard Mater exposed zebrafish embryos to TCC and BPS mixtures. The combination triggered synergistic toxicity across every biological level tested.
The damage included cardiovascular abnormalities (elevated heart rate, fluid around the heart, blood vessel constriction), immune dysfunction (immune cell overgrowth with abnormal cytokines), and neurotoxicity (impaired brain development, dopamine depletion, elevated GABA).
Synergistic Means Worse Than Expected
When researchers predicted the combined effect using standard toxicology models, the actual damage was worse. The mixture amplified gene expression changes and activated biological pathways that neither chemical triggered alone. New toxic processes emerged that only appeared in the mixture.
Key pathways included MAPK, calcium signaling, and FoxO, all promoting oxidative stress and cell death. The combined exposure caused organ malformations and increased mortality.
Where These Chemicals Come From
Triclocarban is an antimicrobial found in bar soaps, body washes, and some detergents. BPS is in receipts, plastic containers, and food packaging labeled "BPA-free." You're exposed to both simultaneously.
What to Do
Ditch antibacterial soaps with triclocarban. Regular soap works just as well. Avoid "BPA-free" plastics that contain BPS. Use glass containers. Browse non-toxic home essentials for safer alternatives.
Also see non-toxic kitchen essentials for safer alternatives.