Using antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers could be doing you more harm than good because they can contain damaging chemicals and pesticides. Recent studies suggest they aren’t safe for humans and that they may be creating antibiotic-resistant super bugs.
“The potential risks definitely outweigh the benefits, which are none,” says Dr. Allison Aiello, an epidemiologist at the Gillings School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina. After systematically reviewing 27 studies of antiseptic soaps containing the active ingredient triclosan, Aiello and her partners believe that some antibacterial soaps may be making antibiotic resistance super bugs.
Various studies have found that triclosan promotes tumor growth, causes decreased thyroid hormone levels, and changes our ability to respond to estrogen and testosterone.
Triclosan is the most widespread consumer antibacterial,used in toothpaste, shampoo, exercise clothing, and plastics. It’s been found in 97% of breast milk samples in the US, as well as the urine of 75% of Americans over age six, and is one of the seven most frequently found compounds in US streams.
According to the FDA, antibacterial soaps are not any more effective than regular soap and water.