Triclosan was in the news again this week as researchers in California published a study showing that the antimicrobial agent causes liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice.

The scientists from UC Davis and UC San Diego said that their findings are relevant to human health because long-term exposure to the chemical may cause similar changes in people.

Triclosan is a synthetic compound not found in nature. It is added to a wide range of soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and other consumer and household products, but there have been concerns about its safety for a number of years and the ingredient is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.