How safe is that liquid hand soap?

How safe is that liquid hand soap?

The makers of liquid hand soap say that it kills more germs than any other brand. But are they safe? That question has US regulators, consumer advocates and soap manufacturers locked in a battle over the active ingredient, a chemical known as triclosan. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing the safety of the chemical, which was created more than 40 years ago as a surgical scrub for hospitals. Triclosan is now in a range of consumer products, including soaps and toothpastes. It is so prevalent that a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the chemical present in the urine of 75% of Americans over the age of 5. Studies have shown triclosan alters hormone regulation in laboratory animals or cause antibiotic resistance, and some consumer groups and members of Congress want it banned in antiseptic products like hand soap.