Safety and Effectiveness of Antibacterial Soap

Although people prefer to wash their hands with antibacterial soap to prevent the spread of germs, it turns out that antibacterial soaps that contain triclosan could be dangerous. The use of triclosan can result in the rise of antibiotic resistance. Bacteria can undergo genetic mutation when they are exposed to triclosan. Mutations protect bacteria from triclosan. When a person uses an antibiotic with triclosan ingredients, it would be difficult to kill bacteria. Therefore, triclosan is unsafe and ineffective. Second, antibacterial soap is disastrous to the environment. When a person rinses his/her hand with antibacterial soap, the waste water will drain into our environment and cause adverse consequences. Similarly, the wastewater treatment plants do not remove chemicals from antibacterial soaps, and this may result in a massive health problem when we use the triclosan to wash our hands. Studies suggest that traces of triclosan were found in urine and breast milk meaning that the chemicals are already in our system.

Third, reports from the FDA indicate that there is no evidence to support that antibacterial soaps are effective in preventing illness compared to regular soap. Moreover, since most of the disease people are suffering from are as a result of viruses and not bacteria. Therefore, using triclosan would not be effective in preventing infectious illness. Manufacturers of antibacterial soaps have failed to prove that triclosan is safer and effective for long-term use. Fourth, antibacterial soap that contains triclosan is not safe and effective since it might harm the immune system of a person. Research indicates that triclosan can interfere with the developmental system, hormones and reproductive growth of a person. Triclosan found in antibacterial soap can cause mutation, and this will increase the chances of developing allergies.

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