Discover why antibacterial soap is a harmful choice and why plain soap is a better option for your health, environment, and the crucial balance of your skin's microbiome. Learn about the dangers of antimicrobial chemicals and how they impact wastewater treatment systems and drinking water.
The arrival of winter signals the annual resurgence of the cold and flu season, a time when heightened hygiene practices like frequent handwashing and surface sanitization become commonplace. Seasonal vaccinations are also scheduled to combat the potential for illness within households. However, there's one product that health experts recommend avoiding entirely, not just during this season, but year-round: antibacterial hand soap.
While the practice of handwashing is critical for preventing the spread of germs, antibacterial soap offers no superior protection and may even pose risks to both individual well-being and the environment. Here's why plain soap is the better choice.\Regular soap, available in forms like foaming liquids, bars, and gels, is a simple mixture of fats or oils, alkaline substances such as lye, and water. When applied to the hands, it disrupts the bonds that microbes, including viruses and bacteria, form with the skin, allowing them to be washed away with water. Antibacterial soap shares a similar composition but includes one or more antimicrobial chemicals like benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol. These chemicals were not part of the initial list of 19 antiseptics banned by the FDA in 2016 for consumer wash products, although they have been flagged for potential safety concerns. The FDA has acknowledged the need for further research to address gaps in safety and efficacy data, but rule-making has been postponed for nearly a decade. These antimicrobial agents function by killing microbes rather than simply removing them. But the issue is that they lack discrimination, eliminating both harmful and beneficial bacteria. As Rebecca Fuoco, director of science communications at the Green Science Policy Institute, points out, the goal of handwashing is removal, not necessarily destruction, of bacteria. Moreover, antibacterial soap can upset the balance of helpful bacteria on the skin, bacteria that support a healthy pH level, skin barrier function, and pathogen defense. Chemical residues can linger on the skin, extending the impact of these biocides beyond washing. Plain soap, in contrast, allows the surviving and newly-introduced microbes to quickly re-establish themselves, maintaining a healthy skin microbiome, according to Fuoco.\Not all bacteria are harmful; in fact, many are essential. These beneficial bacteria play a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and healthy ecosystems. They contribute to the proper functioning of the gut and skin microbiomes, which naturally prevent infections. The repeated disruption of these microbial communities through the use of antibacterial soaps can weaken their protective functions, making individuals more vulnerable to infections, says Fuoco. This issue extends beyond personal health, impacting industrial processes as well. For instance, in wastewater treatment plants, bacteria are essential for converting ammonia into nitrogen. The overuse of antibacterial soap, which flows down the drain and enters these systems in large quantities, can disrupt this process. In San Luis Obispo, California, in September 2020, the crucial nitrification process was disrupted, likely due to an overload of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), a class of chemicals found in disinfectants, soaps, wipes, and sprays, resulting from the return of college students. The use of antibacterial products poses a growing health concern. Scientists are working to understand the extent of the link between these products and human diseases. However, the potential risks are significant and occur not only at the time of initial exposure. When soaps, wipes, and sprays are washed down the drain, QACs enter wastewater treatment systems. Fuoco explains that QACs are not completely removed during wastewater treatment and can accumulate in sludge that is then applied to land. From there, they can enter rivers and other water sources that replenish groundwater or supply drinking water and recycled water systems. Recently, QACs were detected in New York state drinking water. Fuoco notes, We’re using it so much that it’s coming back to us. Researchers have measured QACs in people's blood. A study published in 2021 indicated a 77 percent increase in QAC levels during the COVID-19 pandemic, signaling significant bioaccumulation. Moreover, people absorb QACs through skin contact, inhalation of aerosols from sprays, or inadvertently ingesting contaminated house dust
Antibacterial Soap Handwashing Plain Soap Microbiome Health Risks
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