Antimicrobial agents (quats) is what destroys deadly microorganisms and are found in antiseptics, toothpaste, nasal sprays, eye drops, shampoos, and lotions.
The research, as published in Environmental Health Perspectives, show that the quats inhibit the function of the body cells that produce energy.
The study, that was done by collecting 1,600 different types of antiseptics and drugs used in households and pharmaceuticals, revealed that the chemicals also inhibit production of oestrogen which plays a major role in pregnancy.
“Because exposure to quats is also interrupting oestrogen response in cells, it could also potentially cause reproductive harm in animals or humans, and other studies have shown that quats cause reproductive toxicity in animals,” said Gino Cortopassi, a biochemist and co-author of the study.
However, more research needs to be done to determine just how these chemicals accumulate with regular consumption to understand just how toxic they are to the human health.