A new study in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy says antibacterial soaps are no better than ordinary soaps at killing bacteria.
Manufacturers add antibacterial agents like triclosan in liquid soap and other personal care products and often claim that the antibacterial-added soaps kill bacteria and microbes/viruses effectively. But the study found ordinary soaps and water are already every effective.
From the study, researchers at Korea University found that antibacterial soaps did not kill more bacteria than ordinary soaps and water for any of 20 tested types of bacteria even after 20 seconds of washing, which is recommended by the World Health Organization.
The researchers found the ordinary soap and water just as effective as the antibacterial soap.
The downside of antibacterial soaps is that overuse of antibacterial soaps could increase drug-resistance in bacteria, disrupt hormones and potentially induce cancers in humans, according to a report published on time.com.
The safety concern prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013 to require manufacturers to prove that their antibacterial soaps are safe to use and more effective than then ordinary soaps.
Here are some early reports on antibacterial soap or triclosan.
Recent Evidence Regarding Triclosan and Cancer Risk
www.foodconsumer.org/.../triclosan_and_cancer_risk_0521141245.html
May 21, 2014 - Conclusion: Recent evidence suggests that triclosan exposure may alter cancer risk, although human studies are lacking in both number and ...Antibacterial soap exposes health workers to high triclosan ...
www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/.../antibacterial_soap_0819140613.html
Aug 19, 2014 - Editor's note: Triclosan, the potentially cancer causing agent, may be used in your mouthwash and soap and other cosmetics and personal care ...In lab tests, the antimicrobial ingredient triclosan spurs ...
www.foodconsumer.org/.../antimicrobial_ingredient_triclosan_0429141...
Apr 30, 2014 - Editor's note: Triclosan is used as an antimicrobial ingredients in numerous consumer products including soaps, detergents, shampoos, ...Why Ditching Antibacterial Soap Is a Good Idea
www.foodconsumer.org/.../ditching_antibacterial_soap_1203140918.ht...
Dec 3, 2014 - Triclosan was also found in 51 percent of cord blood samples. Yet another antibacterial compound, triclocarban, was detected in 87 percent of ...foodconsumer.org - The Soap You Should Never Use -- But ...
www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/.../triclosan_0829120722.ht...
Aug 29, 2012 - Triclosan, a high production volume ingredient used as a bactericide in personal care products such as toothpaste, deodorant, and ...New Test Speeds Triclosan Detection in Water
foodconsumer.org/.../010908152009_New_Test_Speeds_Triclosan_Dete...
Jan 9, 2009 - A new test for detecting triclosan should expedite environmental monitoring of the antibacterial agent in rivers, wells and other water sources, ...Household antibacterial products can be dangerous
foodconsumer.org/.../030401152007_Household_antibacterial_products_c...
Mar 4, 2007 - A new study found that an antibacterial known as triclosan widely used in a range of household products to help sterilize hands could do more ...The Soap You Should Never Use - But 75% of Households Do
www.foodconsumer.org/.../triclosan_and_triclocarban_0727110700.htm...
Jul 27, 2011 - The main compounds in antibiotic wipes, creams and soaps -- triclosanand triclocarban -- have been added to chopping boards, refrigerators, ...foodconsumer.org - Could this Commonly Used Body Care ...
www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/.../triclosan_0725110746.ht...
Jul 25, 2011 - Triclosan is an antimicrobial chemical found in personal care and sanitizing products. It can be found in soaps, toothpaste, and hair products.foodconsumer.org - Antibacterial soap no better than plain ...
www.foodconsumer.org/.../antibacterial_soap_no_better_than_plain_soa...
Apr 10, 2010 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it's reviewing the safety oftriclosan, an antibacterial commonly used in hygiene and cosmetic ...
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