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Superfluous Antibacterial soaps are not efficient and even harmful
Washing hands is the most important hygiene rule ever. Many people resort to so-called "antibacterial soaps" to protect themselves as effectively as possible against pathogenic germs. However, a scientific study shows that such products help no better than conventional soap.
Expensive special products usually superfluous
That hand washing is important to protect against pathogens is clear. But you do not have to resort to expensive special products, even conventional soap is enough. Thus, the magazine "Ökotest" at the beginning of the year came to the conclusion that antibacterial products are popular but superfluous. The tested products such as liquid soaps, disinfectant gels, sanitary towels or sprays could not keep promises such as "removed 99.9 percent of all bacteria". A recent study by researchers from South Korea now shows that "antibacterial soaps" with the controversial drug triclosan are no more effective than normal soap.
Antibacterial soap is redundant and even harmful. Picture: ellisia - fotolia 20 seconds for washing hands
The antibacterial substance Triclosan offers no additional benefit when washing hands in soap. In the concentration in which it is contained in commercial soaps, it does not reduce the bacterial count. This was the result of a research team led by Min-suk Rhee from Korea University in Seoul (South Korea). The scientists recently published their findings in the journal "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy". For their investigation, the researchers exposed 20 bacterial strains to a soap solution containing 0.3 percent triclosan for 20 seconds. 20 seconds is about the average time we spend on washing hands. According to the news agency dpa, the triclosan concentration is the highest in the EU and many countries allowed enrichment in soaps.
Use prohibited in some countries
The scientists found that the triclosan solution did not have a better effect than the same soap solution without triclosan in either a 22 degree or 40 degree trial. Only after a contact time of about nine hours, there was a noticeable difference between soapy solutions with and without the chemical. The researchers then asked 16 healthy adults to wash their hands with one of the two soaps. It was found that the bacterial count was reduced approximately equally in both cases. According to the scientists, solutions with higher concentrations of 0.45 to 2.0 percent triclosan had a noticeable effect on bacteria in previous studies. However, such soaps are currently no longer allowed to be used in many states.
Because of possible health problems in the review
Triclosan has been under criticism for a long time because of possible health problems. In late 2014, a US research team came to the conclusion in an experiment with mice that triclosan could promote liver cancer. In addition, there are indications that the substance can lead to hormonal disorders and harms the muscles. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) had already demanded in 2006 that antibacterial agents such as triclosan should be reserved for disinfection in hospitals and medical practices. Otherwise, the development of resistance could be promoted by bacteria.
Consequences for the environment
In addition, triclosan, which is used in many disinfectants and cleansers, cosmetics and special clothing, can also have environmental consequences. According to the Federal Environmental Agency, it is toxic to algae. A mining substance of it richer in fish, among other things. According to dpa, a team led by Christina Pieper from the BfR concluded in a 2014 study that antimicrobials are also superfluous in household cleaners: "There are no risks to health from microorganisms in a regularly cleansed household, provided the basic rules of hygiene are observed "The Industry Association for Personal Care and Detergent (IKW) has been informed about the use of triclosan that there are no new scientifically recognized findings that could call into question the application in cosmetic products. The safety of Triclosan has therefore been reviewed several times. It should be noted that not all liquid and solid soaps that are advertised as "antibacterial" contain triclosan. (Ad)