निम्नलिखित में से किसमें ‘ट्राइक्लोसन’ के विद्यमान होने की सर्वाधिक संभावना है, जिसके लंबे समय तक उच्च स्तर के प्रभावन में रहने को हानिकारक माना जाता है?
Read this question in English
‘Triclosan’, considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?
(a) Food preservatives · (b) Fruit-ripening substances · (c) Reused plastic containers · (d) Toiletries
उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English
Answer: (d) प्रसाधन सामग्री
Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical added to personal-care products such as some soaps, skin cleansers, deodorants and toothpastes, which are toiletries. It is a suspected endocrine (hormone-system) disruptor, so long exposure to high levels is a worry.
- ✓ (d) The US FDA says triclosan is added to some antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes and cosmetics, all toiletries. Some short-term animal studies link high doses to lower levels of some thyroid hormones, which is why long exposure is a concern.
- ✗ (a) Food preservatives keep food from spoiling; triclosan is not a permitted food preservative. It is an antibacterial for personal-care products.
- ✗ (b) Fruit-ripening substances are chemicals that release ethylene, the ripening hormone of plants. Triclosan is not a ripening agent.
- ✗ (c) Triclosan is mainly an antibacterial added to personal-care products. The usual worry about reused plastic containers is a different one: chemicals such as BPA leaching out of the plastic.
Remember · Triclosan is an antibacterial agent in toiletries (soaps, toothpaste, deodorants) and a suspected endocrine disruptor.
Sources
- US Food and Drug Administration: 5 Things to Know About Triclosan (Internet Archive copy, 2021) ↗ “Triclosan is an ingredient added to many consumer products intended to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. It is added to some antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics … Some short-term animal studies have shown that exposure to high doses of triclosan is associated with a decrease in the levels of some thyroid hormones.”
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Triclosan Technical Fact Sheet ↗ “It can be found in detergents, soaps, skin cleansers, deodorants, lotions, creams, toothpaste, mouthwash, and dishwashing liquids.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·