Clean Break: Minnesota to wash hands of antibacterial soaps

Elena Montanye |

Minnesota governor Mark Dayton signed a bill on May 23 making Minnesota the first state to issue a ban on antibacterial soaps. The ban was implemented due to the popular ingredient triclosan. According to the Los Angeles Times, triclosan is essentially useless in soaps and has been found to be harmful to the immune system, as it contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The chemical has also been found to disturb hormone regulation. The FDA is still doing studies to determine the degree of hormonal harm caused by triclosan, but Minnesota ain't waitin' around, Bub.

The ban won’t be implemented until January of 2017, but serious triclosan reductions could be seen far before that. Consumerist.com reports that companies like Procter & Gamble, Avon, and Johnson & Johnson have all announced they’ll be ditching triclosan in upcoming years.

To bacteria-phobic Minnesotans (or concerned Wisconsinites) mourning the loss of antibacterial soap, consider this. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soap and hot water.