The FDA is taking another look at antibacterial soap, specifically at the ingredient triclosan. More and more, its safety and efficacy is being called into question.
Rep. Edward Markey, who is the chairman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, has addressed his concerns about the safety of triclosan to the FDA .
"In a letter to Markey released today, the FDA said it shares Markey’s concern about the potential effects of triclosan and triclocarban as 'endocrine disruptors' that can adversely affect the function of hormones. Evidence of such effects has emerged since the FDA last addressed the use of triclosan in consumer products in 1994."
The FDA said that there is no proof that triclosan adds any health benefit at all to the antibacterial soaps in which it is used. The agency has said that it will perform a safety review. This review should be completed in one year.
http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/04/08/fda-looks-at-ingredient-in-antibacterial-soap-for-hormone-effects