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U.S. Bans Common Chemicals in Antibacterial Soaps
scientificamerican ^ | on September 2, 2016 | Monique Brouillette

Posted on 09/02/2016 11:18:52 AM PDT by BenLurkin

Most studies have focused on triclosan, and as far as human health is concerned the research into its toxic effects has produced mixed results. For nearly every study that shows triclosan has some particular effect, another shows it does not. Yet one thing is clear: Several clinical studies, following several hundred households, have shown that triclosan-based soap does not prevent illness any better than regular soap and water alone.

...[P]lain soap and water simply dislodge bacteria from skin, triclosan weakens and kills the microorganisms. Until recently it was thought that triclosan acted indiscriminately—killing all bacteria in a number of ways—but now scientists know that it targets specific molecular pathways, acting more like an antibiotic. For example, triclosan homes in on an enzyme that plays a key role in bacterial metabolism—the same pathway that the tuberculosis-fighting antibiotic isoniazid targets. This similarity has raised concerns that bacteria could mutate and grow resistant to triclosan—and therefore also to the antibiotic. Allison Aiello, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, notes that several studies have shown that bacteria can become resistant to triclosan in a laboratory setting. For instance, one study found that up to 7 percent of Listeria strains isolated from the environment and food products were resistant to chemicals found in antibacterial soaps.

There is no definitive research on whether triclosan adversely affects human health, but animal studies suggest that exposure to it and similar chemicals has the potential to disrupt hormones in the body, trigger allergies and be associated with some types of cancer. Whether those effects translate to humans is unknown; as some experts explain, animals in experiments are exposed to much higher doses than humans would ever experience. ... According to a 2004 study, 75 percent of Americans have triclosan present in their urine.

(Excerpt) Read more at scientificamerican.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: antibacterialsoap; antibiotic; triclosan
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1 posted on 09/02/2016 11:18:52 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

...but animal studies suggest...


Animals. Like dogs? If we used dogs in our animal studies, chocolate would be considered poisonous.


2 posted on 09/02/2016 11:25:36 AM PDT by Mr. Douglas (Today is your life. What are you going to do with it?)
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To: BenLurkin

Once again, the limits of the allopathic model bite us in the butt. But hey, it’s patentable!


3 posted on 09/02/2016 11:26:45 AM PDT by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: BenLurkin

Mythbusters did a test where pretty much ANY soap wiped-out 99% of bacteria on your hands.

I seem to recall from biology class in school that it blows-up the membrane of the cell.


4 posted on 09/02/2016 11:26:50 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Mr. Douglas

“If we used dogs in our animal studies, chocolate would be considered poisonous.”

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why “studies” is a codeword for “some idiot with a political or commercial agenda”.


5 posted on 09/02/2016 11:27:57 AM PDT by CodeToad (Islam should be banned and treated as a criminal enterprise!)
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To: BenLurkin

This isn’t completely cut & dried as another example of fed.overreach.gov... I’ve wondered if all the germophobia is just maximizing the evolution of tough germs.


6 posted on 09/02/2016 11:28:19 AM PDT by Dr.Deth
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To: Mr. Douglas

Chocolate is not poisonous, but it IS highly addictive. Probably should be regulated, and taxed. And available only with a prescription.


7 posted on 09/02/2016 11:28:32 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: Talisker

Allopathic. Is that like telepathic?


9 posted on 09/02/2016 11:29:44 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

I just use alcohol........nuff said.


10 posted on 09/02/2016 11:33:45 AM PDT by showme_the_Glory ((ILLEGAL: prohibited by law. ALIEN: Owing political allegiance to another country or government))
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To: BenLurkin

So the government wants us to smell like Frenchmen. Probably will find a way for our woman to no longer be able to shave their legs and pits too. Could Buhrkinis be far behind?

All hail our Marxist _resident his minions and his implemented plan to turn us all into filthy Islamicists and communists


11 posted on 09/02/2016 11:34:12 AM PDT by Vaquero ( Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: Mr. Douglas

Precisely. And chocolate should be banned. I am certain there is a constitutional provision for this. I’m curious if you are busy. I need a partner for my black market chocolate operation. I’m calling it Dark, Dark Chocolate. Interested?


12 posted on 09/02/2016 11:36:11 AM PDT by rey
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To: Vaquero

Whatever you do, do NOT do a search for “hairy pit Frenchwoman”


13 posted on 09/02/2016 11:36:58 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

Dr. Bonners Tea Tree oil soap for the win.


14 posted on 09/02/2016 11:37:26 AM PDT by Noumenon (We owe them nothing: not respect, not loyalty, not obedience.)
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To: BenLurkin

I really looked into triclosan and anti-bacterial soaps about a decade ago and haven’t used them since. Needless to say, I did not get sick any more often by just using regular soap. If anything, I got sick less often. I now don’t see any reason to slather myself with chemicals every day like so many people do.


15 posted on 09/02/2016 11:37:28 AM PDT by FenwickBabbitt
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To: PaulyPaul
I don’t really buy into the whole antibacterial soap stuff. I’ve used it and don’t have a problem with it, but have also heard it’s not worth the hype.

You clearly live in a city.

People who live in the country and have septic tanks usually avoid antibacterial soap.

16 posted on 09/02/2016 11:38:08 AM PDT by CurlyDave
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To: rey

We’ll probably end up eating all the profits.


17 posted on 09/02/2016 11:38:30 AM PDT by Mr. Douglas (Today is your life. What are you going to do with it?)
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To: BenLurkin

Whatever you do, do NOT do a search for “hairy pit Frenchwoman”


I did and found it next to “French women with braided armpits”.


18 posted on 09/02/2016 11:44:59 AM PDT by laplata ( Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: BenLurkin

“hairy pit Frenchwoman”

Smile when you say that, pilgrim.


19 posted on 09/02/2016 11:46:46 AM PDT by Carriage Hill ( Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading.)
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To: BenLurkin
Allopathic. Is that like telepathic?

No, it's like to guy with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

20 posted on 09/02/2016 11:48:33 AM PDT by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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