I am not sure if the proliferation of antibacterial /
antimicrobial soaps for use at home was a result of the public’s panic over the
battle of the bugs; or if it was due to the fact that a number of well known
companies simply added antibacterial agents such as triclosan
to their delicious smelling soaps. I’ve
had more than one friend admit that it was the smell of the soap that lured
them into buying it and not the fact that it was antibacterial. I’ve never felt the need to use antibacterial
soaps and go out of my way to avoid purchasing them for use in my home – no
matter how good they smell. In fact I
avoid them so much that when I’ve received them as gifts they quite literally
sit in the back of the cupboard until I become so desperately low on hand soap
that I pull them out.
antimicrobial soaps for use at home was a result of the public’s panic over the
battle of the bugs; or if it was due to the fact that a number of well known
companies simply added antibacterial agents such as triclosan
to their delicious smelling soaps. I’ve
had more than one friend admit that it was the smell of the soap that lured
them into buying it and not the fact that it was antibacterial. I’ve never felt the need to use antibacterial
soaps and go out of my way to avoid purchasing them for use in my home – no
matter how good they smell. In fact I
avoid them so much that when I’ve received them as gifts they quite literally
sit in the back of the cupboard until I become so desperately low on hand soap
that I pull them out.
So when I read that a study had been conducted to determine
if antibacterial soaps containing triclosan were better at fighting germs than
plain soap, I was most eager to read on.
I’m happy to say that my stubbornness at not needing to use
antibacterial soaps has been justified.
if antibacterial soaps containing triclosan were better at fighting germs than
plain soap, I was most eager to read on.
I’m happy to say that my stubbornness at not needing to use
antibacterial soaps has been justified.
The study which was published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapyshowed that antibacterial soaps were no more effective against germs than plain
soap. The study compared two types of
soaps and exposed them to 20 bacterial strains using conditions that replicated
hand washing recommendations and consumer habits. A 20 sec exposure to the bacteria was used
which is consistent with recommendations from the CDC and WHO. The volunteers lathered the soap vigorously for
30 sec ensuring that it was spread over the entire surface of their hands and
lower portion of their forearms. The
results showed no significant difference in bactericidal activity between plain
and antibacterial soap at either a 20 sec or 30 sec contact time.
soap. The study compared two types of
soaps and exposed them to 20 bacterial strains using conditions that replicated
hand washing recommendations and consumer habits. A 20 sec exposure to the bacteria was used
which is consistent with recommendations from the CDC and WHO. The volunteers lathered the soap vigorously for
30 sec ensuring that it was spread over the entire surface of their hands and
lower portion of their forearms. The
results showed no significant difference in bactericidal activity between plain
and antibacterial soap at either a 20 sec or 30 sec contact time.
The good news was that after 9 hrs of contact time, the
triclosan containing antibacterial soap showed greater bactericidal efficacy
than plain soap. But let’s be honest,
we’re lucky to get people to wash their hands.
Who on earth is going to keep soap on their hands for 9 hrs!
triclosan containing antibacterial soap showed greater bactericidal efficacy
than plain soap. But let’s be honest,
we’re lucky to get people to wash their hands.
Who on earth is going to keep soap on their hands for 9 hrs!
As rightly needed to be done, the researchers suggested that
it’s time for governments and industries to review rules governing the labeling of antibacterial soaps. This
recommendation is not unreasonable considering in 2013, the FDA issued a proposed rule to require manufacturers of antibacterial hand soaps
and body washes to demonstrate that their products are safe for long-term daily
use and more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the
spread of certain infections. Under the proposal by the FDA, if companies are
unable to demonstrate such safety and effectiveness, the products would need to
be reformulated or relabeled to remain on the market. Today, some of the larger delicious smelling
hand soap companies have already removed triclosan from their ingredient deck.
it’s time for governments and industries to review rules governing the labeling of antibacterial soaps. This
recommendation is not unreasonable considering in 2013, the FDA issued a proposed rule to require manufacturers of antibacterial hand soaps
and body washes to demonstrate that their products are safe for long-term daily
use and more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the
spread of certain infections. Under the proposal by the FDA, if companies are
unable to demonstrate such safety and effectiveness, the products would need to
be reformulated or relabeled to remain on the market. Today, some of the larger delicious smelling
hand soap companies have already removed triclosan from their ingredient deck.
Do you know what’s in your bottle? Assuming your product contains some form of
antibacterial agent such as triclosan, did you purchase it because you thought
it would improve the health of you and your family or because you liked the
smell of it? We now know, they don’t do
what we thought they did so why use a product that contains chemicals that can
negatively impact your health or the health of our environment? I hope you
antibacterial agent such as triclosan, did you purchase it because you thought
it would improve the health of you and your family or because you liked the
smell of it? We now know, they don’t do
what we thought they did so why use a product that contains chemicals that can
negatively impact your health or the health of our environment? I hope you
look for an alternative and be willing to sacrifice some of
that delicious smell if you have to!
that delicious smell if you have to!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
