Antibacterial soap dangers

The modern man is very worried about infections. He has every right to be, considering only the recent epidemics of aviary flu, swine flu, SARS and others. There is much talk in television, radio, Internet and in newspapers about how people can protect themselves and their families from dangerous germs. This is why it is very logical that the sale rates for bacterial soaps have gone so high in the recent years. People want to feel safe from germs and having an antibacterial soap at home makes them feel protected.

However, there are several significant downsides to the frequent use of antibacterial soaps. Here are some of them.

Dangers of antibacterial soap use for humans

One of the key ingredients of every antibacterial soap is triclosan. It is used in many household products for cleaning and disinfecting. It can even be found in laundry detergents, trash bags and sponges.

One of the problems with this chemical is that it simply kills all the bacteria. This is not necessarily a good thing, because humans rely greatly on the help of the good bacteria that live everywhere around and even inside the body. They maintain the healthy balance by fighting the harmful bacteria. They are necessary for proper digestion, they are important for vaginal health and they help build resistance and immunity to many harmful agents.

Some experts claim that babies and young children should be exposed to the bacteria and other organisms that live around the house, so they can be immune to them later on. Building an immune response to bacteria is one of the key factors for good help and antibacterial soaps do not help in that.

Also, most infections humans are exposed to are caused by viruses and not by the bacteria. Viruses cannot be killed with antibacterial chemicals.

Triclosan is also proven to be harmful for human health if used frequently for a long period of time. It can cause damage to the thyroid gland and disrupt the production of its hormones, which may result in problems like severe weight loss, uncontrolled cell growth and accelerated hind-limb growth.

Dangers of antibacterial soaps for the environment

Triclosan has negative effects on environment as well. After it is disposed or washed down, it ends up in the public water supply. This chemical cannot be neutralized in water treatment plants and it stays in its original form. Eventually it sediments in the rivers where it disrupts the normal ecosystem and kills many organisms that live in it.

Antibacterial soaps are supposed to be used in hospitals, for obvious reasons. They can also be used to clean wounds in order to prevent infections, or for preventing stomach diseases. But using it regularly and frequently at home is not only unnecessary, but, it can also be dangerous, as shown above.