Choose Antibacterial-Free Hand Soaps

Plenty Magazine, Mindy Pennybacker
Published September 11, 2008

Antibacterial liquid soaps, spiked with controversial triclosan, are crowding pesticide-free versions off the shelves. True, our return to crowded workplaces and classrooms means we're bound to get our hands a little dirty, and cold/flu season looms on the far side of halcyon days. But why worry now, and who needs overkill? After all, a little judicious exposure to germs may strengthen immune systems, according to a recent study of 13,524 children. Those who lived on farms had a reduced risk of developing asthma compared with other rural and urban children; this may be due, at least in part, to exposure to "endotoxins" from animal viruses and manure, the study's lead author said. As for triclosan, The American Medical Association, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and many scientists are concerned that it is contributing to the spread of antiobiotic-resistant bacteria, and recommend washing hands and household surfaces with plain soap and water, instead. Despite its presence in half of 259 hand soaps examined by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), triclosan is easy to avoid: Just read labels and choose products that don't list is as an active ingredient. Click here to read this post.