Wow, even the ivory towers are admitting there is a problem with antibacterial soaps. They are a little later than my warnings to you years ago, but their comments are pertinent.
About 75% of potent bacteria-killing chemicals that you use survive treatment at water treatment plants. From there, the chemicals are spread on farm fields and used as drinking water. An estimated 200 tons of two compounds, triclocarban and triclosan, are applied to American farm fields each year.
You will find these chemicals in about 1,500 new antibacterial consumer products from dishwashing soaps to antibacterial cutting boards.
Triclocarban is found in antibacterial bar soaps and even toothpastes and baby toys. It breaks down slowly. It is potentially problematic since it is accumulating in soil and perhaps your drinking water, says JHU assistant professor Rolf Halden. He has expressed alarm that this compound has built up in the environment for almost 50 years. We do not know what happens to it.
Triclosan is even more abundant. It is in liquid soaps. Scientists have found it in human breast milk and even fish in Europe. These two chemicals are considered safe for human contact. The problem is that the chemicals can react with chlorine in drinking water. They can turn to chloroform and dioxins linked to cancer. They also can kill beneficial microbes, or promote new pathogens resistant to antibiotics. These are among the most prevalent contaminants in the waterways today. Now were finding it on our farmland via sewage sludge. From there, it gets into our rivers to react with chlorine. Then its on to your faucet for you to drink.
It bewilders me the number of chemicals pushed on the American public. Why has not the average American wondered why super bugs did not eat us up before the advent of these chemicals? That we are here should prove there is no need for antibacterial soaps under any circumstances. But it does make tons of money for the soap and chemical industries!
Please stop using antibacterial products. They do no good for you, and may harm people downstream from you. And they will even show up in your food. Protect yourself from water contaminants with a reverse osmosis water filter (888-682-7547). The best soap is the simplest. I like Dr. Bronners Peppermint Castile soap the best.
Ref: Los Angeles Times, May 10, 2006.