Monday, February 23, 2009

Triclosan Sucks

UC Davis researchers have been conducting research into the additives triclosan and triclocarban, which are found in everything from tupperware to toothpaste. Among other things, the (very reasonable) statements they make include that washing your hands with an antibacterial soap is not significantly more effective than regular soap. Indeed, this jives with other reports I've heard that it is the act of scrubbing alone that provides most of the benefit.
It's also hard to argue with evolution: if we keep overusing it, we will just end up selecting for resistant bugs.
Go read: Safety Debate on Antibacterial Soap

Further reading
Environmental Working Group: Triclosan
Triclosan research: industry fights back
MSDS: Triclosan

or Professor Frink