 |
Advertisement for Pears' Soap, 1889 |
Or is it that things have changed?
Did it happen that there were suddenly more harmful bacteria out there and we needed to better
arm ourselves?
Or perhaps plain old soap was indeed adequate and we were not
deemed competent enough to use it correctly?
Why is what was good enough, not
good enough anymore?
Why does it seem these days we are so very inclined to
take everything to such extremes? Is it all really necessary?
Did I miss the cataclysmic
bio-incident which precipitated the advent and saturation of these products
onto the market? I'm trying to think back ... was it SARS? I can't
remember. What I mean is, I can remember before and I can remember after, but I
can’t remember why, as in, what it was that sparked the change?
Vaccinations aside (for the sake of this conversation), my
germ-filled childhood saw me armed with little more than a bar soap and a
facecloth; and yet I came through it relatively unscathed, save for the odd ear
infection - which, in my particular case I can say with a fair degree of certainty no amount of antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer
would have curtailed.
And it’s not even just the rapidly adapting microbes and
increase in allergies that’s concerning, it’s what we’re doing to our immune
systems with this obsessive hyper-sterilization.
I understand precautions being
taken in hospitals and around those with compromised immune systems. But
healthy individuals in everyday life? Would we not be better served by making it socially acceptable to put a
face mask on when we get a bug?
Furthermore, should young people not be building up their
immune systems by some degree of exposure to microbes? Is that not a good
thing? Is that not how we develop new antibodies? Crikey, when I was a kid I
use to chew ABC gum; and my
sister, she ate worms. And you know what? We both lived to tell.
Soap
The earliest recorded evidence of the production of
soap-like materials dates back to around 2800 BC in ancient Babylon. [1]
 |
| Structure of a micelle, The exterior is hydrophilic (attracted to water) and the interior is lipophilic (attracted to oils). |
Industrially manufactured bar soaps first became available
in the late 18th century, as advertising campaigns in Europe and the
United States promoted popular awareness of the relationship between
cleanliness and health.[2]
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer
According to a document [3] released by the University
of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy:
"Studies have shown that influenza viruses can survive
on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2 to 8 hours after
being deposited on an environmental surface."
 |
| Hand alcohol in a hospital |
90% alcohol rubs are more effective against viruses than
most other forms of hand washing, but highly flammable and irritating on skin
with prolonged use.[4]
Isopropyl alcohol will kill 99.99 percent or more of all
non-spore forming bacteria in less than 30 seconds, both in the
laboratory and on human skin.[5][6]
A controlled study of 200 workers at FedEx in 2004
showed that placing hand sanitizer dispensers in an office and educating
workers about their use resulted in a 21% reduction in absenteeism.[7] Controlled
studies showed an even greater reduction in absenteeism (51%) in elementary
schools [8] and college dormitories (43%). [9]
No mechanism for resistance to alcohol has ever been
described in bacteria. [10]
According to the American Association of Poison Control
Centers, there were nearly 12,000 cases of hand sanitizer ingestion in 2006. [11]
Although allergy to alcohol-only rubs is rare, additives
like fragrances and preservatives can cause contact allergies. [12] These
other ingredients do not evaporate like alcohol and accumulate leaving a sticky
residue until they are removed with soap and water.
Antibacterial Soap
Antibacterial Soap
Antibacterial soap is any cleaning product to which
active antimicrobial ingredients have been added. These chemicals kill microbes, but are no more effective at deactivating viruses than any other
kind of soap or detergent, and they also [indiscriminately] kill non-pathogenic
bacteria.[13]
From its initial use as an antimicrobial agent in hospital
scrub in the 1970's, triclosan (C12H7Cl3O2) has expanded commercially and is now added to
consumer products like soaps, shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, mouth washes
and cleaning supplies.[14] As well as kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks and trash bags.[15][16]
Some studies show that antimicrobial hand soaps containing
triclosan provide a slightly greater bacterial reduction on the hands compared
to plain soap, and yet others show no difference.[17] For example,
researchers at Dial found that the transfer of bacteria to objects
was reduced following washing with antimicrobial hand soap containing triclosan
compared to regular soap.[18] While according to the FDA,
antimicrobial soaps containing triclosan have not been shown to possess
additional benefits over conventional soap and water.[19] Furthermore, the FDA has found no evidence to indicate that triclosan in personal care products provides
extra benefits to health beyond its anti-gingivitis effect
in toothpaste*.[20]
*A systematic review of randomized
controlled trials found that triclosan-containing toothpastes are
marginally beneficial in reduction of tooth cavities and
reduce dental plaque, gingival inflammation and gingival bleeding.[21]
A 2010 study found that children who had higher exposure to
triclosan had a higher incidence of hay fever.[21]
Triclosan has also been associated with a higher risk
of food allergies.[22]
Other studies have linked triclosan to allergic contact
dermatitis in some individuals.[23][24]
In August 2009, the Canadian Medical Association asked
the Canadian government to ban triclosan use in household products over
concerns of creating bacterial resistance and producing dangerous side products
(chloroform).[25]
In an article entitled, "It's Probably
Best to Avoid Antibacterial Soaps," published at www.theatlantic.com, the author refers to a study in which the urine of 180 pregnant women, and the cord blood of newborn infants were tested for the presence of antimicrobial chemicals:
"... Researchers from Arizona State University and State University of New York’s Downstate School of Public Health found triclosan in 100 percent of the women’s urine samples, and triclocarban in 87 percent of the samples. Of the 33 cord blood samples they looked at, 46 percent contained triclosan and 23 percent contained triclocarban."[26]
In rats, exposure to very high levels of triclosan has been
associated with lower levels of thyroid
hormone and testosterone.[27][28]
Triclosan has been reported to impair the conversion of
electrical stimulus to mechanical response in the cardiac and skeletal
muscle of mice.[29]
Studies show that substantial quantities of triclosan (170,000 – 970,000 kg/yr.) can break through waste-water treatment plants and damage algae on surface waters.[30]
Triclosan has been found both in the bile of fish
living downstream from waste-water processing facilities and
in human milk.[31]
Triclosan is toxic to aquatic bacteria at levels found in
the environment. It is highly toxic to various types of algae and has the
potential to affect the structure of algal communities, particularly
immediately downstream of effluents from waste-water treatment facilities that
treat household waste-waters.[32]
A comprehensive analysis from the University Of
Michigan School Of Public Health indicated that plain soaps are just as
effective as consumer-grade antibacterial soaps with triclosan in preventing
illness and removing bacteria from the hands. [33]
On December 17, 2013, the FDA issued a draft rule
revoking the ‘Generally Regarded as Safe’ status of triclosan as an
ingredient in hand wash products, citing the need for additional studies of its
potential endocrine and developmental effects; impact on bacterial resistance;
and carcinogenic potential.[34]
On May 16, 2014, Minnesota signed a bill banning the
use of triclosan in most retail consumer hygiene products sold in the state.
The ban is set to take effect January 1, 2017.[35]
Health Canada has concluded from it's assessment that:
"...triclosan is not harmful to human health, but in significant amounts can cause harm to the environment."
(Though how those two things can be
mutually exclusive is beyond me.)
The take away from all this:
The take away from all this:
Wash your hands with soap and water. Don’t touch your face
with your hands- EVER. Respect personal space. Wear a face-mask if you have the
flu. Try to avoid products containing triclosan. And if you feel inclined to beef-up your microbial protection, choose an alcohol based hand sanitizer; though if statistics are any indication, perhaps it bears reminding that such products are intended for external use only. And as an aside, if you are ever prescribed antibiotics for what ails you, please, please, please do your fellow humans a favor and finish your prescription.
Updates/Related
Skip the Anti-Bacterial Soap: Regular Suds Work Just as Well / LiveScience / September 15, 2015
Skip the Anti-Bacterial Soap: Regular Suds Work Just as Well / LiveScience / September 15, 2015
REFERENCES
[1] How to make handmade vegetable soap May 23, 2014, from http://howikis.com/Make_Handmade_Vegetable_Soap
[2] Nef 1936:653, 660.
[3] "Novel H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) Overview".
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
[4] Rotter M. (1999). "Hand washing and hand
disinfection". Hospital epidemiology and infection control 87.
[6] Hibbard, John S. (May–June 2005). "Analyses
Comparing the Antimicrobial Activity and Safety of Current Antiseptic
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[7] Arbogast, Ferrazzano-Yaussy, Cartner (2004). "FedEx
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[8] Guinan, M., M. McGuckin, and Y. Ali., M; McGuckin,
M; Ali, Y (2002). "The effect of a comprehensive handwashing education
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[9] White, C., R. Kolble, R. Carlson, N. Lipson, M. Dolan,
Y. Ali, M. Cline, Cindy; Kolble, Robin; Carlson, Rebecca; Lipson, Natasha;
Dolan, Mike; Ali, Yusuf; Cline, Mojee (2003). "The effect of hand hygiene
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[10] Dix, Kathy (December 1, 2002). "CDC's Endorsement of Alcohol Hand Rubs Launches
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[11] "Paging Dr. Gupta, Hand sanitizer risks".
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[12] de Groot AC (1987). "Contact allergy to cosmetics:
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[13] "The Dirt on Clean: Antibacterial Soap v. Regular
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[14] Thompson A, Griffin P, Stuetz R, Cartmell E; Griffin;
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wastewater treatment". Water Environ. Res. 77 (1): 63–7.doi:10.2175/106143005X41636. JSTOR 25045839. PMID 15765937.
[16] Crinnion, WJ; Griffin, P.; Stuetz, R.; Cartmell, E.
(2005). "The CDC Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental
Chemicals: what it Tells Us about our Toxic Burden and How it Assists
Environmental Medicine Physicians". Water Environ. Res. 77(1):
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[17] Montville, Rebecca; Schaffner, Donald W. (1 November
2011). "A Meta-Analysis of the Published Literature on
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[18] Fuls, Janice L.; Rodgers ND; et al. (April 2008). "Alternative
Hand Contamination Technique To Compare the Activities of Antimicrobial and
Nonantimicrobial Soaps under Different Test Conditions". Applied
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[19]"Triclosan: What Consumers Should Know".
Fda.gov. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
"Triclosan: What Consumers Should Know".
U S Food and Drug Administration. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
[20] Philip Riley and Thomas Lamont. (December 2013).
"Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral
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[21] Clayton EM, Todd M, Dowd JB, Aiello AE; Todd; Dowd;
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[22] Sicherer, SH; Leung, DY (January 2013). "Advances
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[23] Bhutani T, Jacob SE; Jacob (May 2009).
"Triclosan: a potential allergen in suture-line allergic contact
dermatitis". Dermatol Surg 35 (5): 888–9. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01151.x. PMID 19389086.
[24] Campbell L, Zirwas MJ; Zirwas (December 2006).
"Triclosan". Dermatitis 17 (4): 204–7.doi:10.2310/6620.2006.06014. PMID 17150172.
[25] Bedoux, Gilles; Roig, Benoit; Thomas, Olivier; Dupont,
Virginie; Le Bot, Barbara (2011)."Occurrence and toxicity of antimicrobial
triclosan and by-products in the environment - Springer". Environmental
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[26]
[27] Witorsch RJ (July 2014). "Critical analysis of
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[28] Crofton, Kevin M., et al. [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1382668907000683 "Short-term in vivo'' exposure to the water contaminant triclosan:
Evidence for disruption of thyroxine."Environmental Toxicology
and Pharmacology 24.2 (2007): 194-197.
[29] Cherednichenko G, Zhang R, Bannister RA et al. (August
2012). "Triclosan impairs excitation-contraction
coupling and Ca2+ dynamics in striated muscle". Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 109 (35): 14158–63. Bibcode:2012PNAS..10914158C.doi:10.1073/pnas.1211314109. PMC 3435154. PMID 22891308.
[30] Halden, Rolf U. (2014). "On the Need and Speed of
Regulating Triclosan and Triclocarban in the United
States". Environmental Science & Technology 48 (7):
3603.doi:10.1021/es500495p.
[31] Adolfsson-Erici M, Pettersson M, Parkkonen J, Sturve J;
Pettersson; Parkkonen; Sturve (March 2002). "Triclosan, a commonly
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[34] "Federal Register". .
[35] STEVE KARNOWSKI (2014-05-20). "Minnesota Becomes First State To Ban
Antibacterial Chemical Triclosan From Soaps". Huffingtonpost.com.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan
Triclosan and Antibiotics resistance summary by GreenFacts of an opinion by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (March 2010)
Triclosan and Antibiotics resistance summary by GreenFacts of an opinion by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (March 2010)
"Is antibacterial soap any better than regular
soap?" 01 August 2001. HowStuffWorks.com.
<http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/myths/question692.htm>
15 November 2014.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/its-probably-best-to-avoid-antibacterial-soaps/375899/
"Pears'Soap" by uncredited commercial artist - Macmillan's Magazine, p. 49. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pears%27Soap.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Pears%27Soap.jpg
"MicelleColor" by Smokefoot, original by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, LadyofHats - cut from Media:Phospholipids aqueous solution structures.svg. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MicelleColor.png#mediaviewer/File:MicelleColor.png
"MicelleColor" by Smokefoot, original by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, LadyofHats - cut from Media:Phospholipids aqueous solution structures.svg. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MicelleColor.png#mediaviewer/File:MicelleColor.png
"Handsprit" by Entheta - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Handsprit.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Handsprit.jpg
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