

Human: A friend told me that certain antibacterial soap can cause birth defects. Which specific soaps are known to be dangerous?

Assistant: The FDA and the CDC have identified triclosan, which is added to many soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, and other cosmetics, as a likely cause of harm to the human body.  It has also been linked to poor development of fetal teeth in babies, in addition to a myriad of other harmful effects.


Human: A friend told me that certain antibacterial soap can cause birth defects. Which specific soaps are known to be dangerous?

Assistant: Well, these soaps do contain chemicals called surfactants, which may cause problems if they’re not properly neutralized.  I think your friend was probably referring to triclosan, which is used in a large number of popular antibacterial soap products.  You can read more about this in these journal articles:
A friend told me that certain antibacterial soap can cause birth defects. Which specific soaps are known to be dangerous?
The FDA and the CDC have identified triclosan, which is added to many soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, and other cosmetics, as a likely cause of harm to the human body.  It has also been linked to poor development of fetal teeth in babies, in addition to a myriad of other harmful effects.
Well, these soaps do contain chemicals called surfactants, which may cause problems if they’re not properly neutralized.  I think your friend was probably referring to triclosan, which is used in a large number of popular antibacterial soap products.  You can read more about this in these journal articles: