Anti-bacterial Soap: How Clean Is It?
Jan 6, 2014 By Anita Ramachandran
We all do it – reach for the nearest pump of antibacterial soap to give our hands a good
scrub hoping it will keep us germ-free, prevent illness and the spread of infection. But the
next time you squirt some of the liquid on your hands, pause to take a look at the
ingredients.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested that simple soap and water
may do the job of cleaning and disinfecting, far better than an expensive bottle of
antibacterial soap. They have even commented that 'antibacterial' products may even pose
health risks with prolonged exposure.
What could all this mean and how does cleaning happen? We thought of taking a deep
cleansing look.
How Does Soap Clean?
Water, the liquid we use for cleaning, has a property called surface tension. Every water
molecule is surrounded and attracted by other water molecules. While cleaning, the surface
tension of the water needs to be reduced so that water can spread and wet surfaces.
Chemicals that are able to do this effectively are called surface active agents,
or surfactants.
Soaps are water-soluble fatty acids that form surfactants. In soap molecules, the acidic part
of the compound is hydrophilic (water-loving). The oily side is hydrophobic (water-hating).
When cleaning an oily or greasy surface, the water-hating end of the soap molecule latches
on to the dirt. The water-loving end however is attracted to water. The opposing forces
cause the dirt to loosen and suspend in the water that can be rinsed away. This is a
mechanical process.
What Are Antibacterial Soaps?
Almost all soaps labeled antibacterial or antimicrobial contain at least one of the
antibacterial ingredients -triclosan or triclocarban. These soaps use a chemical process to
stop bacteria from growing. Triclosan interferes with a protein that bacteria need to build
their cell walls.
However, this property of Triclosan has been found to affect animal hormones. Some
studies suggest that the antibacterial compounds even affect brain and reproductive
functions. Triclosan can be found in everyday products such as soaps, toothpaste,
mouthwash, detergents, deodorants and even water-proof clothing. Since Triclosan can be
absorbed through the skin, the FDA is concerned that humans may be overexposed to
these chemicals.
Meanwhile, there is little evidence that antibacterial agents are better tools for preventing
illness than plain soap and water. FDA’s new ruling will require companies to demonstrate
the safety and effectiveness of their products. If they are unable to do so, they will be
forced to re-label their products to continue to sell. More than 2000 soap products in the US
will be affected.
So how can you keep safe? When you buy soap look at the label to make sure that
'Triclosan' or 'Triclocarbon' are not listed as Active Ingredients. Also, remember that all it
takes to stay germ free is plain old soap and water!
Questions:
1. What does FDA stand for and what is the job of the FDA?
2. What does it mean to be hydrophobic? Can you think of any other words that
include phobic?
3. What is the opposite of hydrophobic?
4. What is in antibacterial or antimicrobial soaps that can be harmful?
5. What other products are Triclosan used to make? How does this make you feel?