Why should I stop using antibacterial soap?

Antiseptic soaps containing triclosan or triclocarban do not remove bacteria from our hands better than regular soap, according to the conclusions of some new studies. This raises doubts about the need to use this chemical in antibacterial soap.

The truth about the bactericidal ability of antibacterial soap line

The market for antiseptic soaps is making food, with an annual turnover of up to $ 1 billion in the US alone. However, the most commonly used disinfectants in these soaps - triclosan and triclocarban - have been found to be involved in antibiotic resistance, allergies and hormonal system disturbance, even risk of infertility in mammals.

Worryingly, some studies even uncover the risk of cancer from exposure and use of these two types of disinfectant chemicals. All potentially harmful effects have forced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action, considering the safety of these chemicals as well as restricting their use.

Researchers found that antibacterial soap containing triclosan or triclocarban does not remove bacteria from our hands better than regular soap.(Photo: Shutterstock).

A new study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy investigated the effects of triclosan disinfectants on 20 dangerous bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteritidis. The team placed strains of bacteria on laboratory plates containing normal antibacterial soap or soap, then heated all to 22 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Celsius to simulate exposure to warm water or hot water, for 20 seconds.

In addition to the above experiment, the experts also promoted the examination of antibacterial soap in real life. Volunteers were coated with Serratia marcescens (a type commonly found in the bathroom) on their hands and then asked to wash their hands for 30 seconds with regular soap or antibacterial soap containing 0.3% triclosan, maximum allowable amount in products sold in the European Union, Canada, Australia, China and Japan.

After no differences were found in the bactericidal effect between soaps, the team also found out how long it took triclosan to kill the bacteria. Using the same concentration of disinfectant chemicals, they found that triclosan is only effective if microorganisms are soaked in them for more than 9 hours.

Other studies with triclocarban antiseptic in antiseptic soaps also obtained similar results.

Therefore, researchers believe that people who buy antiseptic soaps should be informed that they may not be as effective as those advertised under normal hand washing conditions."Authorities need to prohibit advertising to exaggerate the effect of germicidal products, which can be misleading to consumers , " said researcher Min Suk Rhee.

Meanwhile, the US Council for Natural Resources Protection (NRDC) has frankly called on consumers to "boycott" products labeled "sterilize" or "disinfect". contains triclosan or triclocarban such as soap, gels, detergents, toothpaste, cosmetics and other personal care products. They also recommend that FDA remove these products from the market to protect people's health.