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Anti-Bacterial Soap No Better Than Plain Soap

Posted by kdawson on from the hand-held-mutation-experiments dept.

eldavojohn writes to advise us to stop buying antibacterial soap, as it's no more effective than the regular stuff. And, using it introduces a risk of mutation of bacteria. From the article: "The team looked at 27 studies conducted between 1980 and 2006, and found that soaps containing triclosan within the range of concentrations commonly used in the community setting (0.1 to 0.45 percent wt./vol.) were no more effective than plain soaps. Triclosan is used in higher concentrations in hospitals and other clinical settings, and may be more effective at reducing illness and bacteria. Triclosan works by targeting a biochemical pathway in the bacteria that allows the bacteria to keep its cell wall intact. Because of the way triclosan kills the bacteria, mutations can happen at the targeted site... a mutation could mean that the triclosan can no longer get to the target site to kill the bacteria because the bacteria and the pathway have changed form."

4 of 479 comments (clear)

  1. new subject line.. by middlemen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Anti-Bacterial Soap Sells Better than Plain Soap

    Hurray for marketing!!!

  2. Re:Physics versus Chemistry versus Biology by kripkenstein · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Good summary. Note, however, that soap doesn't even need to kill germs - soap along with the mechanical action of hand washing is meant to carry germs away with the soap down the drain. This is something that would be extremely difficult to evolve a protection against, and therefore is a very useful strategy.

  3. Re:Physics versus Chemistry versus Biology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You know, that was a pretty good post until you ended it with 'STFU'. Just because someone isn't 100% accurate doesn't mean they aren't making a worthy contribution to a story. The post you were complaining about was still informative and illustrated the primary types of attacks against bacteria. Unless you're Ken Jennings it isn't realistic to expect everyone who makes an informative post that's more than a few sentences to be 100% factually accurate.

  4. Marketing strikes again by sjames · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Once more,marketing gives us a product that cost's more, does no good, and may ultimately harm millions all for the sake of the almighty buck.

    Once again, they face no sanctions for blatantly lying to the public for years.