Antibacterial Soaps. What Could Go Wrong?

       
I've always suspected that adding antibiotics to our lives in the ever multiplying quantities that we are, that we are (once again) being short sighted about their overall impact. My scientifically unstudied fear has always been that we may create "super bugs" or that it is the introduction of these antibiotic elements that may be upping the frequency and severity of auto-immune deficiencies and anaphylaxis. My reasoning was simple, uneducated and (to my thinking) logical...when there were fewer antibiotics in circulation...it seemed that no one was panicked about peanut butter near a school and the "epi-pen" found in the purse or pocket of someone in nearly every gathering of more than two or three people had never been heard of.

While I don't know if that fear may have been already or is yet to be be proven out by science to be true, I happened across this...which is just as, if not more, frightening and is based on facts. It might even be worth writing a note to your local retailer,  although I am not a member or a fan I do applaud Costco for now offering liquid soap that is antibiotic free.

Here's the Science.

A recent study** concluded that approximately 75% of the liquid soaps on the market are antibacterial, containing the antibiotic triclosan, not to mention its ever increasing use in clothing and plastics. See the partial list below.

Over 95% of the uses of triclosan are in consumer products that are disposed of in residential drains.
Since wastewater treatment plants fail to remove triclosan from the water and the compound is highly stable for long periods of time, a huge amount of triclosan is expected to be emitted into waterways

I would highly recommend everyone take the time to read the Beyond Pesticides fact sheet*, available as a PDF file, it sure got me thinking...here is a sample  of why.

  "Researchers who added triclosan to river water and
shined ultraviolet light on the water found that between one
and twelve percent of the triclosan was converted to dioxin
in the water, leading to fears that sunlight could transform
triclosan to dioxin naturally. An even more serious health
threat may stem from treatment of triclosan-tainted water at
water treatment plants—sunlight could convert chlorinated
triclosan into highly toxic forms of super-dioxin. Exposure to
sunlight in the solid state of triclosan, such as on commercial
textile products, also causes formation of dioxin, albeit in
smaller amounts than aqueous solutions."

When used in hospitals or for persons with weakened immune systems, triclosan represents an important health care tool. But
other than that, it is unnecessary, and our constant exposure to triclosan becomes a health and environmental hazard.
The best way to prevent infections is good old soap and water.

Here are some guidelines on keeping clean without antimicrobials, regular soaps will lower the surface tension of the water, very effectively washing dirt and bacteria down the drain :

-Wash your hands often and well, for at least 10 to 15 seconds
and then rinse of in warm water. It is important to wash your
hands, especially when handling food.

-Dry hands with a clean towel.

-Wash surfaces that come in contact with food with detergent and water

-Wash children's hands and toys regularly.

It is clear to me from my reading that antibiotic soaps do not make us any safer from dangerous germs. More likely the inverse. true. The products themselves probably pose health dangers to us and the environment.
Plus, I can't shake my original fear...as more and more germs breed resistance to antibiotics, the risk from untreatable infections and immune disorders will rise...it's natural selection.

Please do not use antibacterial soap.

List of Products Containing Triclosan

FIRST AID: SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic; Solarcaine® First Aid Medicated Spray; NexcareTM First Aid, Skin Crack Care; First Aid/Burn Cream; HealWell® Night Splint; 11-1X1: Universal Cer- vical Collar with Microban
SOAP: Dial® Liquid Soap; Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap; Tea Tree TherapyTM Liquid Soap; Provon® Soap; Clearasil® Daily Face Wash; Dermato-logica® Skin Purifying Wipes; Clean & Clear Oil Free Foaming Facial Cleanser; DermaKleenTM Antibacterial Lotion Soap; Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap; CVS Antibacterial Soap, pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser, Dawn® Complete Antibacterial Dish Liquid, Ajax® Antibacterial Dish Liquid.
KITCHENWARE: Farberware® Microban Steakknife Setand Cu�ing Boards; Franklin Machine Products FMP IceCream Scoop SZ 20 Microban; Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer; Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban; Com-pact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads
DENTAL CARE: Colgate Total®; BreezeTM Triclosan Mouthwash; Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush; Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT: Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad
CLOTHES: Teva® Sandals; Merrell Shoes; Sabatier Chef'sApron; Dickies Socks; Biofresh® socks
COSMETICS: Supre® Café BronzerTM; TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit; Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation; Mavala Lip Base; Jason Natural Cosmetics; Blemish Cover Stick; Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ; Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb, Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss, Dazzle
CHILDRENS TOYS: Playskool®: Stack 'n Scoop Whale,Rockin' Radio, Hourglass, Sounds Around Driver, Roll 'n Role Ball, Animal Sounds Phone, Busy Beads Pal, Pop'n Spin Top, Lights 'n Surprise Laptop
OTHER: Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier; Microban®All Weather Reinforced Hose; Thomasville® Furniture; Deciguard AB Ear Plugs; Bauer® 5000 Helmet; Aquatic Whirlpools; Miller Paint Interior Paint; QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler; Holmes Foot BuddyTM Foot Warmer, Blue Mountain Wall Coverings, California Paints®, EHC AM-ail Escalator Handrails, DupontTM Air Filters, DurelleTM Carpet Cushions, Advanta One Laminate Floors, San Luis
DEODORANT: Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodor-ant, Right Guard Sport Deodorant Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodor-ant; DeCleor Deodorant Stick; Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes; X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant
OTHER PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS: Gillette Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel; Mu-rad Acne Complex® Kit, ®; Diabet-xTM Cream; T.TaioTM Blankets, J Cloth® towels, JERMEX mops sponges and wipes, Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel.

*http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Triclosan%20cited.pdf
 ** FSNET. 2000. Survey of U.S. Stores reveals widespread availability of  soaps containing potentially harmful antibacterial agents. Centre for Safe Food, University of Guelph. September 10. <http://131.104.74.73/archives/   matology 138:1087-1088.
fsnet/2000/9-2000/fs-09-10-00-01.txt> (Accessed 8/26/04). Of that half, a small amount contained triclocarban instead of triclosan. Triclocarban is an analogue of triclosan.