By Stacy Cox, B.S.

Antibacterial products have become big business for soap and detergent companies. However, experts do not agree on the potential benefits or drawbacks of using antibacterial soap on a regular basis. The following presents the controversy.

Opponents Claim Antibacterial Soap Is Overkill

Opponents of antibacterial soaps believe that these products can potentially be harmful to our health because “we are playing with nature and not knowing what we are doing” as quoted by Dr. Levy, Director of the Center for Adaptation Genetics and Drug Resistance at Tufts University School of Medicine. Many researchers, like Dr. Levy, feel that using an antibacterial product is a form of overkill that can backfire. It has been proposed that antibacterial soap can lead to the development of bacteria that can withstand the action of the antibacterial agent. If antibacterial products are overused, the soaps can lose their effectiveness in killing disease-causing bacteria.

Antibacterial Soap Is Safe and Effective

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) claims that — based on three decades of research — Triclosan, the key ingredient in antibacterial products, is a bacteria killer and a growth inhibitor. According to researchers of the SDA and Ciba (maker of Triclosan), in the more than 30 years that antibacterial products have been used by consumers and medical professionals, there is no evidence that their use contributes to antibiotic resistance. If there were a link between antibacterial use and antibiotic resistance, experts believe they would have seen the adverse effects in settings such as hospitals and doctors‘ offices where antibacterial products are used extensively to stop the spread of bacteria. As of August 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized that Triclosan is safe for use in consumer products and is not a current public health concern.

Practice Good Hygiene

In the meantime, while research is still being presented to the FDA, the Center for Disease Control prefers that Americans concentrate on doing a better job at practicing thorough hand washing with soap (plain or antibacterial) after coming in contact with dry or wet surfaces, people, or any other inanimate objects that could cause the spread of bacteria or disease.

For more information please contact NIFS at 317.274.3432.