National and regional assessment of the antibacterial soap market: A step toward determining the impact of prevalent antibacterial soaps

Background: Consumer antibacterial soaps contain triclosan or triclocarban. No scientific data have been published to suggest that the use of antibact erial agents in household products prevents infection, and triclosan resist ance mechanisms have recently been identified. Little data are available re garding the prevalence of antibacterial agents contained in consumer soaps. Methods: In a physician-performed survey of 23 stores in 10 states from Dec ember 1999 to April 2000, investigators determined the number of national b rand liquid and bar soaps and percent of each containing antibacterial agen ts sold at national chain, regional grocery, and Internet stores. Results: Antibacterial agents were present in 76% of liquid soaps and 29% o f bar soaps available nationally. There were no differences found between n ational, regional, and Internet stores. Conclusion: Overall, 45% of surveyed soaps contain antibacterial agents. Wi th limited documented benefits and experimental laboratory evidence suggest ing possible adverse effects on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, consumer antibacterial use of this magnitude should be questioned.