Antibacterials

Antibacterial soap don’t seem to make a lick of difference - Akshat Rathi

Antibacterials

image by: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

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Five Reasons Why You Should Probably Stop Using Antibacterial Soap

A few weeks ago, the FDA announced a bold new position on antibacterial soap: Manufacturers have to show that it's both safe and more effective than simply washing with conventional soap and water, or they have to take it off the shelves in the next few years.

About 75 percent of liquid antibacterial soaps and 30 percent of bars use a chemical called triclosan as an active ingredient. The drug, which was originally used strictly in hospital settings, was adopted by manufacturers of soaps and other home products during the 1990s, eventually ballooning into an industry that's worth an estimated $1 billion. Apart from soap, we've begun putting the chemical in wipes, hand gels, cutting…

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Resources

Are Antibacterial Soaps Safe?

Companies say there’s no cause for alarm, but studies suggest they may be dangerous. Now the FDA is preparing to rule.

Hand Sanitizers: Good or Bad?

Alcohol based sanitizers are fairly effective and safe. Any hand-sanitizers with over 60% alcohol are good at killing bacteria.

The US has banned antibacterial handwashes – here’s why Australia should too

The FDA ruling applies only to consumer antibacterial handwashes and soaps designed and marketed for use in general domestic settings in the US. It doesn’t apply to those formulated specifically for hospital and other medical settings.

U.S. Bans Common Chemicals in Antibacterial Soaps

Although there is no conclusive evidence of danger to humans, antibacterials’ benefits have not been proved to exceed potential risks.

Within a year, antibacterial soaps as you know them will disappear from the market

If you’ve been spending your hard-earned money on fancy antibacterial soaps in the hopes that they’ll keep you clean and healthy, you may want to stop. The US Food and Drug Administration just released a new, exhaustive report and ruling that there’s actually no good evidence they perform any better than plain old soap and water when it comes to preventing illness or the spread of bacteria and viruses.