Do You Use Anti-Bacterial Soap?

After years of legal battles, environmentalists have won a small battle against anti-bacterial soap. Anti-bacterial soap claims to prevent germs and illness by killing over 99% of germs. But groups like Natural Resources Defense Council are worried about the drug-resistant bacteria potentially caused by the anti-bacterial soaps. The FDA is asking the companies to prove their worth and disprove their harmfulness by 2016.

The companies have until 2016 to prove that their products are safe and effective. If not then they will need to change their products or remove them from the market.

The guidelines for the use of anti-bacterial chemicals in products was meant to be set back in the 1970's, but the the preliminary draft of the findings from the study wasn't finalized until yesterday.

Based on the results from studies with rats, scientists are worried the chemical triclosan may raise the risk of infertility, early puberty and cancer.

All of this hubbub surrounding the soaps makes me question the kind of soap I use. I try to mix up my chemicals every now and then by switching brands and types. Doing this helps me relax and not worry about whether or not I'm poisoning myself. Besides, aren't we supposed to trust the products available at stores?

What kind of soap do you use and why? Let me know in the comments below.

[via bigstory.ap.org]