The rise of so-called superbugs like MRSA (Methicillan-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has made us super vigilant against germs. And marketers have picked up on that. Up to 75% of hand soap now sold is antibacterial. But is that really necessary? The Food and Drug Administration says no. So when I mistakenly bought anti-bacterial Q-tips (really?) I lost patience. After researching the “qt” on the antibacterial craze, I wrote a piece for Blue Ridge Press about it. You can read it in these newspapers:
The Dirt on Antibacterial Soap. Chicago Southwest News Herald Feb. 27 2012
The Dirt on Antibacterial Soap. Columbia Star, SC March 2, 2012
The Dirt on Antibacterial Soap. The Advocate, Lawrenceville TN. Feb. 29, 2012
Are Antibacterial Soaps Anti-life? NJ Today Feb. 20, 2012
Are Antibacterial Soaps Anti-life? University City Review, Philadelphia PA. Feb. 22, 2012 (pg.2)
Are Antibacterial Soaps Anti-life? Weekly Press Philadelphia PA. Feb. 22, 2012 (pg. 2)
The Dirt on Antibacterial Soap. The East County Gazette, San Diego CA, March 15, 2012 (p. 9)
Are Antibacterial Soaps Anti-life? The Observer Shepherdstown WV, April 2012.
The Dirt on Antibacterial Soap. The Westchester Guardian, NY. March 15, 2012 (p. 10)
I’m also told it has run in the Ames Tribune (Iowa), Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Monroe Watchman (in Union WV), the Katy News (TX) and the Yonkers Journal (NY) but I haven’t been able to confirm those.
Since writing this, I’ve learned that Health Canada has identified triclosan, the pesticide used in antibacterial soaps, as harmful to the environment (as reported by the Edmonton Journal) and the state of Minnesota has issued guidance about its levels in water as a contaminant of emerging concern (as reported by Minnesota Public Radio). (Updated March 29, 2012)