Antibacterial soap is a product on the market that people have trusted for many years to eliminate germs and prevent them from getting sick. New data, research, and rules that surface have the potential to change the popularity of the product. Antibacterial soap is ineffective and should be removed from the market because the chemicals it contains can be harmful, excessive exposure can cause antibiotic resistance, and it has not been proven to have any more effect than antibacterial soap. Ordinary soap and water. buy antibacterial soap, they expect to get an effective product. The vast majority of Americans don't realize that too much exposure to soaps containing the chemical triclosan can have the opposite effect they are looking for. Research has shown that triclosan may contribute to disease by “creating more potent strains of bacteria, which increases resistance to antibacterials and antibiotics” (Beyond Pesticides 2). Indeed, even if the chemical eliminates the majority of bacteria, it does not kill them all. Bacteria that survive triclosan are then able to grow stronger, making them even more difficult to eradicate. Exposure to triclosan from using antibacterial soap can potentially have harmful side effects. Studies led by Isaac Pessah, chair of the molecular biosciences department at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, produced data showing the chemical's effect on muscle activity. The results showed that “in the presence of triclosan, normal communication between two proteins that function as calcium channels was impaired, causing skeletal and cardiac muscle failure” (“A chemical widely used in antibacterial hand soaps can damage the muscles..."). middle of paper ......cteria, may have harmful side effects and is not effective. Advances made by researchers have helped consumers see a new perspective on antibacterial hand soap.Works CitedPerrone, Matthew. may not eliminate bacteria, according to the FDA. " Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press, December 16, 2013. Web. January 9, 2014. Taylor, Ashley P. "Are Antibacterial Soaps Really Better?." Popular Mechanics. December 20, 2013 Web. January 9, 2014. "Qu "What's in Your Soap? The Triclosan Problem." Beyond Pestides, January 9, 2014. University of California - Davis, August 13, 2012. Web. January 10, 2014."FDA takes closer look at 'antibacterial' soap." US Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, December 16, 2013. Web. January 9. 2014.