FDA To Decide Fate of Triclosan, Commonly Used In Antibacterial Soaps

kkleiner writes "The FDA is finalizing its review of the antibacterial agent triclosan common to many soaps and other health/household products after four decades of use. Recent studies suggest the chemical may be harmful to animals and could interfere with the human immune system along with increasing the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The agency has been slow to cast a verdict, to much criticism considering its widespread use."

I sense a great disturbance in the web...

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

As if millions of hypochondriacs cried out in terror and suddenly went to check WebMD.

Re:Toothpaste

[guttentag]

Personally, I find the thought that we put that stuff in our mouths every day much more worrying than the use in soaps.

Perhaps you just need a brand in a shinier box? I suggest you try the new Crest 4D White toothpaste. It has every bit as much fluoride as 3D White, but comes in a new extra-shiny with sparklies box. Those matte boxes will make your teeth rot.

Re:I sense a great disturbance in the web...

[0racle]

Not looking forward to listening to the sister-in-law and father-in-law if they do anything other than give it a huge thumbs up.

Not that SIL and FIL are right, but damn they're loud about being wrong. So damn wrong.

Re:I sense a great disturbance in the web...

[noh8rz10]

there is no purpose for antibacterial soap. it is just a gimmick and fud that has bad implications because bacteria build up resistance over time. regular soap kills bacteria just fine. you know how a drop of soap will break up grease? the outside of a bacteria cell is just lipids, so the regular soap has the same effect on them. Good for FDA for limiting the explosion of antibacterial products. next step, eliminate antibiotics in farm food.

Re:I sense a great disturbance in the web...

[EmagGeek]

So it sounds to me like what you're saying is that SOAP is also anti-bacterial, because it kills bacteria.

Obviously the FDA needs to ban SOAP as well. I mean, they hardly use it at all in Europe, and they get along just fine.. except maybe for a little BO now and then.

Re:I sense a great disturbance in the web...

[ColdWetDog]

How do they get that stuff through the Internet?