Ditch Antibacterial Soap and Help Save Dolphins!

Hey, we meant well when we began our national obsession with antibacterial soaps and hand gels. We thought it was smart to kill germs in the hopes of preventing the spread of viruses, but unfortunately, antibacterial agents like Triclosan may do more harm than good, causing the evolution of super-germs and contaminating wildlife like bottlenose dolphins.

A recent study found Triclosan in the blood of bottlenose dolphins tested in South Carolina and Florida waters. It’s unknown just how this contamination might affect the creatures, but it’s probably not a good thing.

From The Daily Green:

How could this be? The waters tested have sewage plants, and the water flowing out of our pipes is laced with triclosan. It’s found in a variety of products: antibacterial soaps, most notably, but also in personal care products, socks, cutting boards, garbage bags and other products — any product that a manufacturer sees benefits by killing bacteria to reduce odor or increase shelf life.

When it comes to soap, experts agree that vigorously washing with regular soap and warm water for enough time to sing the “ABCs” is more effective than using a chemical to kill bacteria, and has none of the unintended side effects. Those unintended side effects, in addition to contaminating dolphins, including contaminating other marine life and helping bacteria to evolve resistance to antibiotics. Studies have found that it accumulates in the human body, too, and is found in most Americans at about the same level it was found in dolphins. It may be an endocrine disrupting chemical, meaning it mimics human hormones and may contribute to a variety of diseases and health issues.

Some researchers say that antibacterial agents like Triclosan interfere with the nervous system, and they’re being investigated as a potential cause of autism.

There are plenty of alternatives to antibacterial soap that work just as well. Or, you could just chill out and live in harmony with germs. Remember, not all bacteria is bad. Exposure to household germs can help you develop a stronger immune system. Being clean is enough, being germ-free is overkill.

Link [The Daily Green]
Photo credit: National Geographic

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