What is Antibacterial soap
Antibacterial soap is a type of cleaning product which contain chemical ingredients that purportedly assist in killing bacteria, Such chemicals frequently include triclosan, triclocarban, and chloroxylenol. The effectiveness of products branded as being antibacterial has been disputed, with studies finding that these chemicals are no more effective at deactivating viruses than any other kind of soap or detergent.
Ingredients
Cloflucarban, Fluorosalan, Hexachlorophene, Hexylresorcinol, Iodine complex, Iodine complex (phosphate ester of alkylaryloxy polyethylene glycol), Nonylphenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanoliodine, Poloxamer-iodine complex, Povidone-iodine 5 to 10 percent, Undecoylium chloride iodine complex, Methylbenzethonium chloride, Phenol (greater than 1.5 percent), Phenol (less than 1.5percent)16,Secondary amyltricresols, Sodium oxychlorosene, Tribromsalan, Triclocarban, Triclosan.
Triclosan and Health Concerns
Triclosan can be found in many places today. It has been added to many consumer products including clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys to prevent bacterial contamination. Because of that, people’s long-term exposure to triclosan is higher than previously thought, raising concerns about the potential risks associated with the use of this ingredient over a lifetime. The FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency have been closely collaborating on scientific and regulatory issues related to triclosan.
F.D.A. Bans Sale of Many Antibacterial Soaps
The Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of soaps containing certain antibacterial chemicals on Friday, saying industry had failed to prove they were safe to use over the long term or more effective than using ordinary soap and water. In all the F.D.A. took action against 19 different chemicals and has given industry a year to take them out of their products. The rule applies only to consumer hand washes and soaps. Triclosan, mostly used in liquid soap, and triclocarban, in bar soaps, are by far the most common.
The Future
The future of antibacterial soaps depends on both chemical and regulatory factors. New chemicals for cleansing products are continually being developed. These new materials may offer improved foaming or cleansing properties,
enhanced biodegradability, increased mildness, reduced cost, or other benefits. Once this happens, the products may have to be changed significantly to comply with the regulations.
