Say No to Antibacterial Soaps!

This is from Yahoo Green. One of the things I learned in pharmacy tech training was that all of these antibacterial soaps actually are destroying the really good bacteria you have on your body to keep the horrible bacteria in check. This article is pointing out that all you really have to do is remove the germs from your hands, not kill them. (No wonder really good washing, over a minute, scrubbing under the nails, etc, with water only has proven to be 99% effective huh?) Here is the article for you to read:


Say no to antibacterial soaps

By Lori Bongiorno Posted Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:01pm PDT

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Washing hands (iStockPhoto)

Global Handwashing Day, held earlier this week, was established to promote a simple message: Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent disease. It's also the perfect time to visit the topic of what kind of soap you're lathering up with. This is an important decision that many of us don't think twice about.

The main ingredient in most liquid soaps lining store shelves is triclosan, a pesticide that kills bacteria. Turns out you just need to banish germs from your hands, not kill them. Studies show that antibacterial soaps aren't more effective at preventing illness or removing germs than good old-fashioned soap and water.

In fact, antibacterial soaps may do more harm than good.

There are concerns that triclosan may contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It's also present in human bodies and breast milk, as well as in streams. The Environmental Working Group says triclosan has been linked to developmental defects, liver toxicity, and cancer in lab studies. It also may affect thyroid and other hormones that are crucial to normal development.

The best thing you can do is avoid soaps that claim to be "antibacterial" while we wait for more research to be done. A quick read of the label will tell you if triclosan or triclocarban (a similar compound that's found more commonly in bar soaps) are active ingredients. If so, move onto another product.

Here's a small sampling of triclosan-free liquid hand soaps to get you started:

* Trader Joe's Lavender & Chamomile Hand Soap
* Method Hand Wash (Pink Grapefruit)
* Softsoap Soothing Aloe Vera Moisturizing Hand Soap
* Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure-Castile Soap (Hemp-Peppermint)
* Terraessentials Organic Real Soap for Hands
* Desert Essence Castile Liquid Soap with Organic Tea Tree Oil

For more suggestions, visit the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping.