Antibacterial soap is a staple in many households and healthcare facilities.
The ban included two of the most commonly used ingredients,triclosan(TCS) andtriclocarban(TCC).
What Is Antibacterial Soap?
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Antibacterial soap contains active chemicals which are added to kill bacteria.
Regular soap is not designed to kill bacteria.
It loosens and lifts bacteria from your hands so that the bacteria is easier to wash away with water.
Antibacterial soap also has this effect but includes agents like TCS and TCC.
It may also pose some health risks, such as bacterial resistance or hormonal effects.
Some soaps may contain three antimicrobial agents the FDA hasn’t banned which may have additional potential health risks.
Both have antibacterial and antifungal properties that manufacturers have long used in their products.
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibacterial agents used in soaps are not fully neutralizing, meaning some germs escape.
They are also been linked tocontact dermatitisin some studies.
There are no studies that have shown this effect is harmful to humans.
Antibacterial soap kills good and bad bacteria.
Antimicrobials can decrease the presence of protective bacteria and increase susceptibility to vaginal infections, includingbacterial vaginosis.
They can also cause dryness and irritation.
However, it is important to do so correctly.
It’s also unknown how various ingredients used in antibacterial soap may affect human health in the long term.
For this reason, the FDA has banned at least 19 antimicrobial ingredients.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues final rule on safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps.
Papavasilopoulos R, Kang S.Bibliometric analysis: The effects of triclosan on human health.Toxics.
2022 Sep;10(9):523. doi:10.3390/toxics10090523
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Frequent questions about hand hygiene.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Antibacterial soap?
you’re able to skip it, use plain soap and water.
Halden R.On the need and speed of regulating triclosan and triclocarban in the United States.Environ Sci Technol.
Green Science Policy Institute.
FDA urged to rule on controversial hand soap ingredients.
Arnold WA, Blum A, Branyan J, et.
Quaternary ammonium compounds: A chemical class of emerging concern.Environmental Science & Technology.
2023;57(20);7645-7665.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c08244
Arnold WA, Blum A, Branyan J, et.
Quaternary ammonium compounds: A chemical class of emerging concern.Environ Sci Technol.
Green Science Policy Institute.FDA urged to rule on controversial hand soap ingredients.
