New study links fate of personal care products to environmental pollution and human health concerns

Parental concerns in maintaining germ-free homes for their children have led to an ever-increasing demand and the rapid adoption of anti-bacterial soaps and cleaning agents. But the active ingredients of those antiseptic soaps now have come under scrutiny by the EPA and FDA, due to both environmental and human health concerns.

[truthist]

Ah, the circle of life. A proud past that haunts us. But who can take the blame??

[Help from your sins]

I can see that we have, once again, "shit where we eat". When will we learn that our waste products will be with us and our children, and our grandchildren, and maybe even generations after that? We need to be smarter than we have been in the past, yet advertisers lull us into believing that we need the CRAP they sell.

[Mar Komus]

Aren't we supposed to be exposing our children, to some degree, to these things so their immune system doesn't go ballistic over a simple cold?

[Athena NY]

Are we not supposed to bathe with soap now??

[Christopher]

Mar Komus wrote:

Aren't we supposed to be exposing our children, to some degree, to these things so their immune system doesn't go ballistic over a simple cold?

Ideally, yes. The doctors have been finding out that the children and adults with the most allergies and bad reactions to simple infections have had their homes decontaminated since they were children with these products.
Really, we need to learn that some illnesses are just a part of life, and go with the flow.

[Wally]

My mom still washes everything with vinegar!(and baking soda for other things) She swears by it!
But... ya won't find a lingering oder in her house & her laundry smells wonderful!!

I buy my wife all these house cleaning products & things to make our clothes smell good... but nothing smells as good as mom's. Even my wife says so.

[Tom]

Much more important health concern: BAN SMOKING EVERYWHERE, INDOORS AND OUT!

[Bartender Joe]

Soda and vinegar are superb cleaning and anti-bacterial agents for use around the house. Also, Baking soda mixed eith a small portion of hydrogen peroxide are great for cleaning and whitening teeth. Old man here, and even though I brushed and flossed regularly, my teeth had that yellow tint to them.

I started using the mixture I mentioned above 6 months ago....teeth are nice and white looking. Took awhile to get them there, but it worked.....for me anyway.

[John T]

Its about time we have some hard evidence against the rampant and ultimately ineffective use of antibacterials in pharm products. It was little more than a gimmick to sell more products.

[truthist]

John T wrote:

Its about time we have some hard evidence against the rampant and ultimately ineffective use of antibacterials in pharm products. It was little more than a gimmick to sell more products.

How much evidence is enough?

More importantly, what can you do other than outlaw?

[Matt from Akron]

I think we're becoming too obsessed with all these "antibacterial" products anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if kids today get sicker than in previous decades, simply because they are continually using these disinfecting soaps. The best way for a kid to develop a healthy immune system is to go out and play in the dirt. Of course, too many kids don't even go outside anymore, what with the XBox and Internet and all that.

I'm glad I grew up before all this technology (and antibacterial everything) existed!

[Christian Carpenter]

Is this study coming from the same reseachers who gave us the energy saving light blubs which are filled with deadly Mercury?

It seems there is always something negative about anything positive. Nothing is 100% perfect.

As for me, I would rather kill germs than promote them.

Just look at the "energy saving light blub"...we wouldn't need these bio-hazards if people would STOP building homes that need 3 or more furnaces and AC's.

The solution is simple,when the "Al Gore's" of the world want us to do as they say and NOT as they do.

Wash your hands, use one HVAC system and use a good old fasion light bulb, problem solved.

[Phester O Boyle]

What's wrong with plain old Ivory soap? It worked for a LOT of years..

[2nd amendment]

Mar Komus wrote:

Aren't we supposed to be exposing our children, to some degree, to these things so their immune system doesn't go ballistic over a simple cold?

Sorta. One part of the immune system is called naturally acquired immunity. For this to develop one must be exposed to the pathogen. The body learns to make antibodies to these pathogens and on subsequent exposures, the immune response is stronger.

Personally I do not use anti-microbial anything. Plain soap and water is plenty sufficient.

[wouldnt ya know it]

triclosan is the only thing that stopped my itchy scalp & dandruff - seriously.

[judy]

plain soap i thought was made to keep too much bacteria away it is said there's good and bad bacteria. so i too will use plain soap to bathe.

[Mr Smith]

John T wrote:

Its about time we have some hard evidence against the rampant and ultimately ineffective use of antibacterials in pharm products. It was little more than a gimmick to sell more products.

Can we say SNAKE OIL!!!!

[Mr Smith]

wouldnt ya know it wrote:

triclosan is the only thing that stopped my itchy scalp & dandruff - seriously.

Well, at least its good for something!

[reebie]

Phester O Boyle wrote:

What's wrong with plain old Ivory soap? It worked for a LOT of years..

thats what we should use, over use of antibacterials, and antibiotics are what is causing the epidemic of "resistant bugs" today. natural cleaners, and good ol soap and water are the best way to peevent common germs.

[Mr Smith]

Mar Komus wrote:

Aren't we supposed to be exposing our children, to some degree, to these things so their immune system doesn't go ballistic over a simple cold?

BINGO!!!! We have a winner!!! Great statement.