Minnesota bans anti-bacterial chemical from soaps

[RobJohnson]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — It's widely used nationwide as a germ-killing ingredient in soaps, deodorants and even toothpaste, but it's being banned in Minnesota.

MSN NEWS

[Gingersnap]

I'm not big on knee-jerk bans but this is one that should be done across the country. Anti-bacterial products simply breed better bugs. They are strong enough to kill the weakest organisms which just leaves more room and food for the strong suckers.

In health terms, these products do nothing. The world is literally crawling with germs and human bodies have wonderful and powerful defenses against them - if you get exposed in harmless ways on a day-to-day basis. So, rub the dirt off that carrot and eat it but use bleach if you really, really have to de-germ something.

[RobJohnson]

I'm not big on knee-jerk bans but this is one that should be done across the country. Anti-bacterial products simply breed better bugs. They are strong enough to kill the weakest organisms which just leaves more room and food for the strong suckers.

In health terms, these products do nothing. The world is literally crawling with germs and human bodies have wonderful and powerful defenses against them - if you get exposed in harmless ways on a day-to-day basis. So, rub the dirt off that carrot and eat it but use bleach if you really, really have to de-germ something.

I agree. Some doctors that I know have told parents not to let their children use anti-bacterial soaps if possible. Naturally if you are using the rest room at public place unless you carry your own soap you are at their mercy.

It's just like everyone running out and buying those stupid blue masks when they hear of a flu out break. Wearing the mask just recirculates your own germs and limits your fresh air.

[scott]

I agree. Some doctors that I know have told parents not to let their children use anti-bacterial soaps if possible. Naturally if you are using the rest room at public place unless you carry your own soap you are at their mercy.

It's just like everyone running out and buying those stupid blue masks when they hear of a flu out break. Wearing the mask just recirculates your own germs and limits your fresh air.

I don't think the second part is accurate. Germs aren't "expelled" and then "replaced" with fresh air.

[RobJohnson]

I don't think the second part is accurate. Germs aren't "expelled" and then "replaced" with fresh air.

If I cough I do not want the germs incubating inside a paper face mask. The moisture from your cough hydrates the incoming air through the mask.

I'm too tired to explain it. But this should sum it up:

It's recommended that persons not at increased risk of severe illness from influenza refrain from using the facemask.

Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm

The masks are the placebo effect in action. Others wear them for attention. In my occupation I have seen it all and then some.

[scott]

If I cough I do not want the germs incubating inside a paper face mask. The moisture from your cough hydrates the incoming air through the mask.

I'm too tired to explain it. But this should sum it up:

It's recommended that persons not at increased risk of severe illness from influenza refrain from using the facemask.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm

The masks are the placebo effect in action. Others wear them for attention. In my occupation I have seen it all and then some.

Nothing in your link says what you claimed with regards to recirculating germs. It says that there isn't conclusive evidence that facemasks work to prevent one from catching H1N1.

[Gingersnap]

Nothing in your link says what you claimed with regards to recirculating germs. It says that there isn't conclusive evidence that facemasks work to prevent one from catching H1N1.

He was just making a related point, I think. The point is that all these products are counter-productive.

[RobJohnson]

Nothing in your link says what you claimed with regards to recirculating germs. It says that there isn't conclusive evidence that facemasks work to prevent one from catching H1N1.

The germs from your own cough are captured inside the mask rather then being expelled into the air. Viruses travel through the air in droplets and when someone with an infection coughs, sneezes or talks those viruses become trapped inside the mask. Your first source of air when you take a breath is contaminated which could result in a longer recovery time if you are carrying the virus.

Most people when they are sick forget about the habits that their mothers have taught them such as hand washing, covering their mouth/nose when sneezing or coughing, and staying home when you are sick. Hand hygiene is still the best way to prevent the spread of the flu.

I remember the swine/H1N1 epidemic a few years back, I was one of the people that were allowed to get the vaccination before it was released to the public due to my job. Everyone was freaked out that they were going to die if they did not wear a mask. Now the H1N1 strain is included in the annual flu shots, just in case.

If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. They love those things in Japan.

[Tom Servo]

I'm more curious about how soap manufacturers are going to handle this. Do they make a special triclosan-free batch just for Minnesota stores, or do they say "screw you" and stop selling these soaps all together? The third option is to remove it from national production, but I'm not sure Minnesota has enough consumer clout to pull that off. Now if California had outlawed it, we'd all be seeing it removed, because it's such an enormous market.

I'm curious to see how this plays out on the supply and manufacturing side of things.

[Gingersnap]

I'm more curious about how soap manufacturers are going to handle this. Do they make a special triclosan-free batch just for Minnesota stores, or do they say "screw you" and stop selling these soaps all together? The third option is to remove it from national production, but I'm not sure Minnesota has enough consumer clout to pull that off. Now if California had outlawed it, we'd all be seeing it removed, because it's such an enormous market.

I'm curious to see how this plays out on the supply and manufacturing side of things.

It will be like the TSP ban out of Washington. They decided that TSP was bad and banned it. All dishwasher detergents followed suit rather than make two formulas. Now, the entire country has iffy dishwasher results.

Subsequent research refuted the impact of the ban. TSP was not implicated in Washington's aquatic situation. Made no difference.

The science was settled but the irrational "feelings" won the day.