Before you use that soap, think about the environment

Just what is in that anti-bacterial soap?

from JoeUser Forums
With a nod to FOX 5 (TV) News in the D.C. area (linked here: FOX 5 DC), and a quick google search on a few key-words, {sarcasm mode on} here's something everyone needs to thank the scientists for {sarcasm mode off} -- the over-use of anti-bacterial soaps and personal hygiene products that make use of a chemical known as Triclosan.

Do a quick google search and perhaps you'll hit this great link: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Triclosan%20cited.pdf

The fact sheet linked above is a .pdf file, so sorry, I can't cut and paste info here. I do encourage readers to check out the link though, as it's quite informative.

There's also the great information in the Wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan

Some things to think about:

Triclosan is regulated as a pesticide.

Triclosan based antibacterial soaps and other materials are considered as a possible cause for development of more drug resistant germs.

Triclosan shows up in mothers milk and is easy absorbed into the body's fatty tissues and accumulated over time.


Anyway, much more information available at the linked article. Before you buy that next anti-bacterial product, consider the information and maybe help the environment (and yourself) by choosing a less aggressive alternative that is equally effective.
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Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

I have been watching that subject for quite some time.  People want everything to be "clean" all the time.  The problem is: nature has a way of balancing herself.  The common bacteria that the soap kills is a mix of good and bad bacteria. It's typically in balance.

I'm not sure why we are so crazed about it.  My daughter's pediatrician, whom is older, says not to use the soap.  She has seen kids who live in "too clean" of a house get very very sick.  Your body will build up natural resistances to bacteria if it encounters it in small quantities.  However, if you are a clean freak, you don't build up the resistance.  Then, when you are exposed, you get *very* ill.

I clean my house with bio-friendly cleaners (there are no chemicals in them).  My wood cleaner mainly consists of olive oil and orange scent.  Our hand soap is a castile soap (as is our bathing soap).  Our dishwasher soap is also natural.  (We have a well and septic, so I'm very conscious of what goes down the drain).   None of our family, including my daughter, get sick more than average.  My husband has only had to see a doctor (other than a checkup) once in the past 4 years, and I haven't seen a doctor for any cold, flu, etc. in over 2 years.  I take my daughter whenever she is sick, but she usually just has whatever the "trend" is at school. 

I don't think that we need the anti-bacterial soap for everything.  It's OK for cleaning up counters after meat has been on it, or something like that, but I highly doubt that it is needed for just washing hands......unless you were just petting sheep or something