Evaluating the Use of Antibacterial Soap

The hand soap landscape in facilities’ restrooms and break rooms may be on the verge of change, and it’s essential to understand why. In December 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced a proposed rule that could reshape the way we perceive and use antibacterial soap. But what led to this proposal, and what are the key concerns surrounding the use of antibacterial soap?

The FDA’s Scrutiny of Antibacterial Soap

The FDA’s proposed rule seeks to address several key issues regarding antibacterial soap:

• Effectiveness Over Plain Soap: The FDA asserts that there is currently no concrete evidence demonstrating that antibacterial soap is more effective than regular soap. Evaluations typically fail to measure their impact on infection rates, a crucial consideration for assessing their value.
• Chemical Concerns: Many antibacterial soaps contain triclosan (in liquid forms) or triclocarban (in bar soaps), chemicals associated with potential risks. These risks include bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which can hinder various medical treatments. Additionally, some studies suggest that triclosan might affect hormone activity in the human body.

According to Janet Woodcock, former director of the FDA’s Centre for Drug Evaluation and Resarch, there should be a clear and demonstrated benefit from using antibacterial soap to outweigh any potential risks, especially considering the extensive exposure consumers have to these ingredients in everyday settings.

Regulation of Triclosan

To address concerns surrounding triclosan and triclocarban, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are collaborating to evaluate these substances rigorously. The EPA is primarily concerned with triclosan as a pesticide, while the FDA focuses on its use in soaps. This joint effort aims to comprehensively assess triclosan’s impact on health.

For now, Canada acknowledges the ecological risk, but does not find any risk with regard to human exposure of triclosan. However, triclosan has been vanishing from the Canadian marketplace, as scientists are finding more evidence that it might be more harmful than previously thought for both human and ecological health.

Alternatives to Antibacterial Soap

If, in the future, triclosan and triclocarban are removed from the market, there’s no need for undue concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has always emphasized the effectiveness of traditional hand washing with plain soap and water in various situations, including:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the restroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching the garbage

In conclusion, the use of antibacterial soap has raised important questions regarding its effectiveness and potential risks. While regulatory bodies assess these concerns, traditional hand washing with regular soap and water remains a highly effective means of preventing the spread of germs and illnesses in various everyday scenarios.