What icks me out is when I go for the soap dispenser when I’m not at home and out comes that stinky antibacterial soap. What I’m talking about is soap fortified with Triclosan which is an antibiotic and antifungal agent. It seems to be in so many products nowadays, but do we really need it and is it even causing us harm?
Is Antibacterial Soap Really More Effective than Regular Soap?
Tummy bug, influenza, common cold, warts are all viruses, all these undesireable viruses are not afraid of antibiotics. Oh no, these guy aren’t scared because antibiotics only kill bacteria. Plain old soap and good old proper handwashing technique is what is going to wash these guys away.
In fact, plain old soap and antibiotic soap remove the same amount of cooties from your hands.
So, it’s A Draw Then? Doesn’t Matter What I Use?
Actually, there are a lot of problems with Triclosan Antibacterial soap:
Bio Accumulation ~ Triclosan is fat soluable and can accumulate in your fat stores. It has been found in breast milk and umbilical cord blood. Additionally, it is considered ‘persistent’ in the environment because it doesn’t break down easily.
Endocrine Disruption ~ Triclosan can alter hormone regulation in people and wildlife. There is even concern that it could be linked to breast cancer.
Antibacterial Resistance ~ Antibacterial soap kills all but the 0.4% strongest bacteria who make bacteria babies that are very likely to be resistant to antibiotics.
Oh… and it smells nasty.
Please share your thoughts with me – Do you avoid triclosan too? Are you surprised that it is used in many different products? Has antibiotic resistance touched your life?
Sep 24, 2012 @ 16:39:30
Triclosan is very irritating to skin, too! As a nurse, I can’t avoid antibacterial soap at work (and it’s not such a bad idea in a legitimately contaminated environment), but at home I use plain soap.
Sep 24, 2012 @ 17:33:04
I hear you on the hospital usage – I didnt realize that it was irritating to skin too. Thanks for commenting