Study: Antibacterial Soap Does Not Kill More Germs

BOSTON (CBS) - It's hard to find a hand soap these days that doesn't claim it is "antibacterial", but is it really better than regular soap?

A recent study says, "No". After having volunteers wash their hands according to recommended guidelines with both plain soap and antibacterial soap, in the short-term, there was no significant difference in bacterial activity on the volunteers'.

The chemical often used in these products, triclosan, is not harmless. It has caused allergies in some people, and may have long-term effects on the body that haven't been fully teased out yet.

Plus there's concern that wide use of these products promote antibiotic resistance and it is not necessarily good to live in a germ-free environment.