TOXIC SOAP
Some would call Roseanne Hamm a germ-a-phobe.
“I use liquid anti-bacterial soap in the bathroom and in the kitchen I use dish detergent that is also anti-bacterial. I’ve even used the wipes when I’m traveling, the anti-bacterial wipes and at my desk at work,” says Roseanne.
Like Roseanne, millions of consumers are hooked on anti-bacterial products. But, researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that the use of anti-bacterial soaps may be directly exposing people to significant quantities of chloroform, which is classified by the environmental protection agency as a probable human carcinogen.
“There’s basically a direct correlation between triclosan and chlorine concentration,” explains Virginia Tech researcher, Peter Vikesland.
Research showed that when the chemical triclosan, present in many anti-bacterial soaps, reacts with chlorine in tap water, chloroform is produced.
Triclosan is found in everything from cosmetics to lotions to acne treatments.
Researchers discovered that the chloroform produced when the antimicrobial soap containing triclosan mixes with chlorinated water could be absorbed through your skin or inhaled.
“We know that these reactions occur in a lab setting, the proof that these actually occur in somebody’s house, we don’t have that yet,” says Vikesland.
Roseanne says she wants more research done before she pulls the plug on anti-bacterial products. “I trust that they should be killing bacteria that would cause germs and colds and flu.”
Even researchers agree with Roseanne…they say that their findings warrant additional studies. The American Medical Association has been urging the FDA to closely monitor and possibly regulate the home use of anti-bacterials such as triclosan.
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