There's no better antibacterial soap: 200 scientists urge stricter US regulations. Considering buying antibacterial soap or laundry detergent? Hold on. More than 200 scientists and medical professionals worldwide co-authored an article published on the 20th in the peer-reviewed journal *Environmental Health Perspectives*, pointing out that common antibacterial products are not only ineffective but may also be harmful to health and the environment. The article also urges consumers to be especially careful when using everyday antibacterial chemicals. Last fall, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that 19 antibacterial chemicals, including the infamous triclosan and triclocarban, were ineffective and should not be available for purchase without a prescription. Now, these 200+ scientists say that the FDA's decision is insufficient to protect consumers and the environment. Antibacterial agents often appear in unexpected products, including paints, sports mats, flooring, clothing, food storage containers, home textiles, electronics, kitchenware, school supplies, and countertops. \u201cPeople believe that antibacterial hand soap can prevent disease. But generally speaking, antibacterial soap doesn\u2019t perform any better than regular soap and water,\u201d notes Barbara Sattler, a professor of environmental sanitation at the University of San Francisco. Consumer soaps and hand washes often use different additives. \u201cI\u2019m glad the FDA finally banned these additives in soap. But now the products sold at my local pharmacy contain worse additives than before,\u201d says Dr. Arlene Blum, executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute. \u201cConsumers may feel that antibacterial agents can reduce the chance of infection, but in most products, no research has confirmed this,\u201d says Dr. Ted Schettler, scientific director of the Science & Environmental Health Network. In 2016, Schettler wrote an article for the nonprofit Health Care Without Harm about antibacterial agents in hospital furniture. The abstract of the article stated that, based on a large number of peer-reviewed studies, triclosan and triclocarban are endocrine disruptors that persist in the environment for a long time and have bioaccumulation effects, harming aquatic organisms and other organisms. Evidence suggests that antimicrobial agents with similar properties, such as tricloxacin and triclocarban, should be kept away from humans and ecosystems because they can cause unintended harm to health and the environment. They should only be used when there is evidence of health benefits. The authors believe that the use of antimicrobial agents for non-medical purposes should be reduced. \"Tricloxacin and triclocarban have widespread negative impacts on the environment and humans, including pregnant women, developing embryos, and breastfeeding infants. We should develop better alternatives to avoid unnecessary exposure to antimicrobial agents,\" said Rolf Halden, a professor in the Department of Engineering at Arizona State University. Source: Environmental Information Center (2017-06-26)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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