The FDA bans most anti bacterial soap for our health. When a good idea isn’t according to the NY Times. Anti bacterial soaps, we have probably all used them but we are now finding out that the chemicals used to kill bacteria we no better at keeping us safe than just plain soap and water. The real risk may be that not only are the chemicals potentially harmful, but they risk scrambling hormones in children and promoting drug-resistant infections. Some of the largest companies have begun removing the most commonly used chemicals which include chemicals like triclosan and triclocarban. The FDA is also looking at some of the chemicals used in hand sanitizers as well, a trend that a few years ago had resulted in many restaurants and public places posting dispensers of hand sanitizers, with the belief that this would keep us healthier by preventing transmission of harmful bacteria. The truth of course is that there are hundreds of thousands of bacteria that live in harmony with us and help us stay healthier, and help our immune system constantly train itself. The overuse of products like these is more likely to weaken our immunity, rather than strengthen it, while helping resistant bacteria develop which can have life threatening consequences in the future. Check out the NY Times article F.D.A. Bans Sale of Many Antibacterial Soaps, Saying Risks Outweigh Benefits By SABRINA TAVERNISE SEPT. 2, 2016 WASHINGTON “” The Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of soaps containing certain antibacterial chemicals on Friday, saying industry had failed to prove they were safe to use over the long term or more effective than using ordinary soap and water. In all the F.D.A. took action against 19 different chemicals and has given industry a year to take them out of their products. About 40 percent of soaps “” including liquid hand soap and bar soap ““ contain the chemicals. Triclosan, mostly used in liquid soap, and triclocarban, in bar soaps, are by far the most common. The rule applies only to consumer hand washes and soaps. Other products may still contain the chemicals. At least one toothpaste, Colgate Total, still does, but the F.D.A. says its maker proved that the benefits of using it “” reducing plaque and gum disease “” outweigh the risks. The agency is also studying the safety and efficacy of hand sanitizers and wipes, and has asked companies for data on three active ingredients “” alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol), isopropyl alcohol and benzalkonium chloride “” before issuing a final rule on them. Read more