The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised concerns this week that antibacterial soaps may be no more effective than regular soap and could lead to environmental and health problems. According to Colleen Rogers, Ph.D., a lead microbiologist at FDA “In fact, there currently is no evidence that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soap products are any more effective at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.” At the same time concerns have been raised by the FDA, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others that some of the ingredients of antibacterial soap may cause environmental problems and lead to antibiotic resistant “superbugs”.

On December 16 the FDA issued a rule that will require manufacturers to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of anti-bacterial soaps. The agency’s chief concern is with the ingredients triclosan and triclocarban which are commonly used in a wide range of products as well as antibacterial soap. There is growing evidence that the chemicals. According to the EU’s public health agency: “There is concern that this widespread use of triclosan may lead to the emergence or proliferation of harmful bacteria that are resistant to both biocides and antibiotics.” Additionally, triclosan has been found to cause hormonal problems in some animals and there are concerns that it may contribute to infertility. According to Matthew Perrone of the Associated Press “Recent studies of triclosan in animals have led scientists to worry that it could increase the risk of infertility, early puberty and other hormone-related problems in humans.”

At least one company, Johnson & Johnson, has already agreed to a voluntary phase out of triclosan by 2015.

“Despite triclosan having a long and extensive history of safe use, we want you to have peace of mind. So we have set a goal to phase out triclosan in our beauty and baby care products. We have made significant progress in developing alternatives that will allow us to replace triclosan.”

Meanwhile, some consumer groups claim that the FDA’s action does not go far enough. According to Kate Fried of Food & Water Watch:

“While this development is a step in the right direction, it is long overdue, and its outcomes will not take effect for a long time, as companies still have six months to comment on this rule, and another year to run studies on their products. Rather than leaving it up to corporations to protect us, the FDA should make companies prove that triclosan and similar products are safe before they go on the market. Since the long-term public health implications of triclosan have yet to be fully evaluated, this pesticide should be banned until it is proven safe.”

For the next 180 days, the FDA is requesting that interested parties including “consumers, clinicians, environmental groups, scientists, industry representatives and others” weigh in with their thoughts and concerns on antibacterial soaps and other products containing triclosan. Until a final decision is made the agency suggests that consumers visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website for information on effective hand washing and disease prevention.