by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: August 02, 2010

It was thought that anti-microbial soaps were better to use for germ control than regular bar, or liquid soaps, but this information has come under a strong storm of controversy as of late. The active chemicals used within anti-microbial soap are designed to kill germs, and bacteria, but unfortunately they are also designed to randomly kill biological structures. This means that our human biological makeup is also at risk of being attacked by these harmful chemicals. So are anti-microbial soaps better to use than regular soaps?

The latest research into this matter seems to be finding that anti-microbial soaps are definitely not a safer alternative to regular bar or liquid soaps. The fact of the matter is that anti-microbial soaps may actually be more harmful to our health. Worse yet, rather than just destroying their intended target, these soaps may actually be creating stronger and more resistant bacteria.These soaps may be creating larger problems yet to show up in the future.

Anti-microbal soaps generally contain one of two active ingredients which they use to kill germs and bacteria, Triclosan which is a biocide, or Triclocarbon which is a very similar compound. Triclocarbon is a suspected carcinogenic. While Triclosan comes with it's own host of frightening data. As a biocide Triclosan is designed to kill any biological substances that it comes in contact with, and that is exactly what humans are, a biological substance. Now that is scary enough information to make a person want to drop the anti-microbal soap right there on the spot, but unfortunately, there is more.

When these substances were first researched for human use, it was found that they had limited skin absorption properties, so it was thought that these chemicals would be very minimally harmful to those who used them. Studies are now showing that these chemicals may instead be taking the scenic route into our bodies. These chemicals are being flushed down the drains, and not only being discovered in the water, but also in the fish that we later consume. Another frightening discovery was Triclosan in breast milk. What affect is this having on the children who are being fed this hazardous product?

Other studies indicate that these chemicals may be contributing to higher levels of resistant antibiotics. Bacteria exposed to Triclosan were found to have an increased resistance to antibiotics. It all adds up to a pretty scary picture.

So are anti-microbial soaps better to use than regular soaps? You be the judge.

Sources:

http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/articles/2005/ halden_soaps.html

http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/dangersoap0 31504.cfm

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/antibacterial/effica cy/Anti-microbial%20hand%20washes.pdf

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