Germ Warfare

Most people know that it makes sense to wash their hands after using a public restroom. While 90% of adults say they always do, stakeouts in facilities including a stadium, museum, and train station report that only 66% of men and 88% of women actually do lather up.

And when it comes to washing away bacteria, you might think that an antibacterial cleanser would outshine soap. In three out of four studies recently reviewed by researchers from the University of Michigan school of Public Health, hand soap turned out to be just as effective.

In a lab study they found that some germs live quite happily around triclosan (the anti-bacterial agent in cleansers) and the exposure may help the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. “Since there is no benefit and there is a potential risk, it makes sense to stick with soap,” says epidemiologist Allison Aiello, Ph.D., lead researcher of the study.

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