The Anti Antibacterial Rant

 

Disclaimer: I don't love bacteria and enjoy being clean but I am not at war with the nasty bugs.  I am not obsessive about it.  I have never been one to wash my hands a million times a day or before I eat.  I don't arm myself with Purell. 

I also don't get sick very often.  Coincidence? 

Lately, I find myself plagued by antibacterial products.  I can't help but notice them everywhere.  I see women reaching for their H2O free hand wash, wipes at grocery stores, cleaning products, surface cleaners, lotions, etc.  I see all of these products and I am perplexed.  Why?

Just the other day, I was in Target and saw a women wipe the cart down, then her child's hands, then the poor kids face.  Come on!  What/who are we trying to kill?  Yes germs, but what exactly are in those products that we are using? 

 

And I am still questioning  this even after I just saw a horrifying movie about a deadly virus plaguing the world.    

I know there is a lot of alcohol.  I clearly remember reading a story about how a dog...or was it a child, licked an antibacterial product and died...or got really sick.  Obviously, I pay close attention to detail :) I guess I'll leave that to my analytical and sexy hubby.  Bottom line, I have questions about these products.  Are they safe?  What is in them?  Are germs really that bad for our health?

I am especially curious now because when I drop E off at school, I am met with a huge pump dispenser of hand sanitizer.  Every time I see it I am slightly (no deeply) bothered by it.  What is in that clear gooey gel?  How often do they squirt him with it?  Do the kids have a choice?  Are teachers aware of what might be in them?  Is my son licking the product?!?!?!  Is he going to get horribly sick or worse?!?!?!? 

Truthfully, I don't know the brand so I can't go all hog wild over the ingredients.  But I do know what is in many other antibacterial name brand products; Dial, Colgate Total, Right Guard deodorant, Ajax dish soap, Softsoap Antibacterial, Old Spice Deodorant, Clearasil....  The common ingredient that stands out is Triclosan.

The FDA is only now reviewing the safety of this chemical...after it has been used for over 30 years. 

Triclosan is a chemical that is mostly used to kill bacteria on the skin and other surfaces.  It is used in antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, plastics, and other products. 

A marketplace study in 2000 by Eli Perencevich, M.D. and colleagues found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps (45% of all soaps on the market) contained some type of antibacterial agent.  Triclosan was the most common agent. 

It is so prevalent that a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the chemical present in the urine of 75% of Americans over the age of 5. 

So what makes it so naughty?

•          It may alter hormone regulation in laboratory animals and cause antibiotic resistance. 
•          It is classified as a pesticide by the EPA. 
•          It can easily be turned into chloroform and enter our water
•          It can disrupt hormones (now being examined closer in relation to breast cancer) is a reason to caution teens whose bodies are still developing.

Bath and Body Works have recently been under attack for their use of Triclosan in their hand soaps used primarily by teens. Their motto is to, "spread love, not germs".  How about spread good clean 100% Pure products?

Just today, I was talking  to my Dr. about Triclosan during a visit (yes, I am at the Dr. way more than any 30 year old should be, and yes, I consider him my friend).  He said that the body produces its own protective barrier through our hair follicles.  We produce two proteins that work together to protect us.  These antibacterial soaps strip the skin and the good bacteria that our bodies naturally make.  He is even specific with nurses about how they wash their hands and prep a patient before surgery as too not overly strip the skin.

Thankfully, many companies have removed it and substituted it with less controversial ingredients. 

Let's compare ingredients from a common antibacterial hand soap to that of 100% Pure.

Here are the ingredients for Dial Complete Foaming Antibacterial

 

Active Ingredient: Triclosan

Inactive Ingredient: Water, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Diproplyene Glycol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidoproply Betaine, Fragrance, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Red 4, Yellow 5

Here are the ingredients for 100% Pure Forest Hydrating Hand Wash

 

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice, Organic Rose Hydrosol, Sake, Saponified Coconut Oil, Extracts of Organic Green Tea, Rosemary, Goldenseal, Oregano, Thyme, Lavender, Coffee Cherry, Pomegrantate, Calendula, Grapefruit Seed, Essential Oils of Clementine

With 100% Pure I can pronounce all the ingredients.  I know they are safe. They are natural, 100% vegetarian, and gluten free.  Instead of using antibacterial chemicals, 100% uses antibacterial herbsto kill germs.  There are no chemical preservative, no artificial fragrances, no sulfite or other stripping detergents and best of all, no Triclosan or any other toxins. 

I feel a hell of a lot safer having my kids use this than the leading formula. 

If you are interested in ordering 100% Pure Hydrating Hand Wash please click here.

or

click this link: http://www.alexandvon.com/products/371-hydrating-hand-wash.aspx?SellerID=466

There are a few different scents to choose from including: Forest, Key Lime Mint, Clementine, and Lemon and Verbena.