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Q95 (IAS/2021) Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Health › Public health epidemiology Official Key

'Triclosan', considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 4 (Toiletries). Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent widely used in consumer products to prevent microbial contamination and reduce bacterial growth.

It is most commonly found in toiletries and personal care products, including:

  • Toothpastes (to prevent gingivitis)
  • Antibacterial soaps and body washes
  • Deodorants and cosmetics
  • Shave gels and mouthwashes

While other options involve chemical additives, they use different substances: food preservatives typically use sodium benzoate; fruit-ripening utilizes calcium carbide or ethylene; and reused plastics are associated with Bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates. Long-term exposure to high levels of Triclosan is linked to endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance, and environmental toxicity, leading many regulatory bodies to restrict its use in over-the-counter wash products. Therefore, its primary commercial application remains within the category of toiletries.

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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. 'Triclosan', considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following? [A] Food …
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 5/10
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This is a classic 'Chemicals in Daily Life' question, triggered by global bans (FDA) and health warnings. It bypasses standard static books entirely. If you see a chemical in the news linked to health risks, your first question must be: 'Which product in my bathroom or kitchen contains this?'

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is triclosan commonly used as an ingredient in food preservatives?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Triclosan. Triclosan is widely used at concentrations of 0.2 to 2% and exhibits bacteriostatic activity against gram-positive bacteria and to a lesser extent on other bacteria and fungi."
Why this source?
  • Passage context lists disinfectant/antimicrobial agents used in food operations and cleaning equipment, indicating relevance to food-related antimicrobial use.
  • Explicitly states triclosan is "widely used" and gives typical concentrations (0.2 to 2%), showing common usage as an antimicrobial agent.
  • Notes triclosan's bacteriostatic activity, which is the intended function of preservatives/antimicrobials.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.4.2 Properties of Ethanoic Acid > p. 73
Strength: 5/5
“Ethanoic acid is commonly called acetic acid and belongs to a group of acids called carboxylic acids. 5-8% solution of acetic acid in water is called vinegar and is used widely as a preservative in pickles. The melting point of pure ethanoic acid is 290 K and hence it often freezes during winter in cold climates. This gave rise to its name glacial acetic acid. The group of organic compounds called carboxylic acids are obviously characterised by their acidic nature. However, unlike mineral acids like HCl, which are completely ionised, carboxylic acids are weak acids.”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete example of a common food preservative (acetic acid/vinegar) and shows the class of chemicals (carboxylic acids) used in food preservation.

How to extend

A student could list typical food-grade preservatives (vinegar, salts, sugars) and compare those chemical types with triclosan’s class (a synthetic antibacterial phenolic) to judge whether triclosan fits the common food-preservative profile.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > Advantages of Organic farming/products: > p. 347
Strength: 4/5
“This results in toxin free food and reduces health issues caused due to these toxins.• Better and Original taste: Organic food have better nutrition quotient and thus they even taste better. If processed food has been prepared organically, then they are also free of preservatives and thus taste is more similar to that of freshly prepared food.• Longer storage life: Organic plants have greater metabolic and structural integrity in their cellular structure than non-organic grown crops. This enables storage of organic food for a longer time.”
Why relevant

States that organically processed foods are often 'free of preservatives', implying a recognized set of additives called preservatives used in conventional foods.

How to extend

A student could consult standard lists of permitted food preservatives and see if triclosan appears among commonly allowed/used food additives to determine its commonality.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Spices and Condiments > p. 354
Strength: 4/5
“• Products of crop plants are used to flavor, taste and sometimes color the fresh or preserved food. E.g., ginger, garlic, chili, cumin, onion, coriander, cardamom, pepper, turmeric etc.• Medicinal plants include cinchona, isabgoii, opium poppy, senna, belladonna, rauwolfra, iycorice,• Aromatic plants such as lemon grass, citronella grass, palmarosa, Japanese mint, peppermint, rose, jasmine, henna etc,”
Why relevant

Lists spices and condiments (e.g., turmeric, garlic, ginger) used to flavor and sometimes to preserve food, indicating traditional food-preservation agents are mostly natural plant-derived substances.

How to extend

A student could contrast traditional, food-safe preservative sources (spices, acids) with triclosan’s synthetic antimicrobial origin to assess whether triclosan is typical for food preservation.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 13: Food Processing Industry in India > FOOD IRRADIATION > p. 410
Strength: 3/5
“• It is a technology of applying ionising radiation to the food items which improves the safety and extends their shelf life. • This process also reduces or eliminates micro-organisms and insects. • Food irradiation is a cold process unlike heating. This can also be used for processing agricultural commodities without affecting their fresh-like character. • Using Cobalt-60 radiations, the induction of any harmful radioactivity or any toxic radioactive residues can be avoided.”
Why relevant

Describes an alternative preservation technology (food irradiation) used to extend shelf life, illustrating the variety of preservation methods beyond chemical additives.

How to extend

A student could compile common preservation methods (chemical preservatives, irradiation, salt/sugar curing) and check whether triclosan is listed among standard preservation methods for foods.

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