“Regular handwashing with soap and warm water is as effective, if not more effective, than using these compounds that have chemicals in them”, he said.
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Hand sanitizers are considered to be the best use in the absence of soap and water – the CDC recommends alcohol-based products containing at least 60 percent alcohol – though it’s worth keeping in mind the FDA has concerns about their use as well.
Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble Co and Colgate-Palmolive Co have said they have either reformulated or are reformulating their products to get rid of the most common of the 19 ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban. Soap manufacturers now have a year to provide more data on the safety and effectiveness of these chemicals.
According to the FDA, manufacturers have not provided sufficient data to prove the safety, effectiveness and superiority of antibacterial soaps over their traditional counterparts since today’s rule was first proposed in 2013.
“The Canadian government has to mirror the ban quickly to avoid Canada becoming a dumping ground for products containing these harmful ingredients.These chemicals continue to put the health and environment of Canadians at risk”, the organization said in a statement. Manufacturers have one year to reformulate their products or they will be removed from shelves. Researchers are concerned about triclosan after studies showed the chemical can impact thyroid hormones in adolescent animals.
Long-term use of antibacterial soaps could also increase bacterial resistance, according to the Post. Some manufacturers have already started removing those ingredients from their products, but companies will have one year to comply with the new rule.
While antibacterial soap is often marketed as being more effective than soap and water, experts say that it actually isn’t. “Banning triclosan in these products is a huge step toward ensuring that the soaps we use every day on our bodies are safer”.
“Either not additional data were submitted or the data were not sufficient to make a determination”, Michele said.
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The FDA is cracking down on some antibacterial soaps and body washes. Only consumer products are involved, not the specialized soaps such as those used in hospitals; nor are hand sanitizers in question. Consumer antibacterial washes containing these specific ingredients may be marketed during this time while data are being collected.
