Antibacterial soap is no better at killing germs than regular soap
By Stuart Marsh| 4 years ago
The FDA ban doesn't carry over to hand sanitizers or gels - just bar soap. (Image) iStock
The US government has banned a key ingredient in antibacterial soap known as triclosan.
If there's one thing that modern, rational-thinking adults are unreasonably afraid of, it's the dark bacteria. From constant washing of hands to carrying anti-bacterial gels, we're terrified of invisible germs.
To beat them, we wash our hands with antibacterial soaps – but they might not be as effective as first thought.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US has released a new report that's found antibacterial soaps are no better at washing your hands than plain ol' bar soap and water.
But that's not all – not only do these antibacterial soaps not work, they may also have negative effects on your health thanks to a key chemical called triclosan.
Triclosan is commonly used as an anti-fungal treatment for a wide variety of common household objects like clothing, furniture, kitchenware and even children's toys.
We don't know exactly how it effects humans over long periods of time, but early lab studies have shown that excessive exposure to triclosan could make some people resistant to antibiotics.
The reason why? Because triclosan is so effective at killing bacteria, it just about nukes every last thing on your skin – including the "good" bacteria that keeps your immune system active and healthy.
Experts are worried that heightened exposure to triclosan could train the germs on your body to become resistant to harsher removal methods such as courses of antibiotics.
RELATED: The science-backed way to properly wash your hands
If you're rummaging through the bathroom drawers to throw away every gel sanitizer and alcohol handwipe, take heed: the FDA says the ban only extends to bar soaps marketed as being "antibacterial".
"There's no data demonstrating that these [antibacterial soaps] provide additional protection from diseases and infections. Using these products might give people a false sense of security," says FDA's spokesperson, Dr Theresa M. Michele.
"If you use these products because you think they protect you more than soap and water, that's not correct."
"If you use them because of how they feel, there are many other products that have similar formulations but won't expose your family to unnecessary chemicals."
So what exactly does this mean for Australia? At this point in time, nobody is sure, says Professor Raina MacIntyre, head of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at UNSW.
"Whether Australian regulatory agencies will follow is to be seen," MacIntyre tells Coach.
"The US ban affects antibacterial soap and hand wash, but not other products containing triclosan. The rationale for a selective ban on one type of product alone is unclear."
According to MacIntyre, some people can be allergic to triclosan, but the notion that it effects our hormonal balance is still unconfirmed.
"Triclosan and other antibacterials are present in many different products in Australia from soap and toothpaste to other products," explains MacIntyre.
"Whether it has an adverse health effects is unclear, so the risk to Australians is unknown."
The national Department of Health currently recommends that in low concentrations, there is "no concern for the public in general" when it comes to triclosan exposure.
Many brands on Australian shelves – like Gamophen medicated soap bars, still contain levels of triclosan.
If you're worried about whether or not your household soap contains elements of triclosan, it's best to check the labelling – if it isn't marketed as being specifically "antibacterial", then you're good to go.
In the meantime, MacIntyre recommends easing the pressure on your hip pocket and simply buying the cheapest plain soap available, because by all scientific reports it does the same job.
"Plain soap and water is as effective as antibacterial soap, hand wash or hand sanitisers," explains MacIntyre.
"There is no evidence of any of these products providing better infection control than plain soap and water."
"Hand sanitiser has a role where a tap and sink is not available, but otherwise proper hand washing does the trick."
By September the 6th, 2017 the FDA will have banned 22 antibacterial chemicals used in body soaps, including triclosan.
RELATED: Are we all washing our hands too much?
Antibacterial Soap