Antibacterial soaps and other things

       Since I use a septic system that depends on live bacteria to digest all the usual things, I deliberately do no buy antibacterial soaps and cleaning things that would end up in the septic system.  If I suspect someone has violated that idea, like used some antibacterial stuff that might kill the bacteria in the septic tank that "digests" all the usual things, then I'll get some extra septic tank treatment bacteria and enzymes to make sure the digestion process continues as designed.

            So that's why I follow the present FDA consideration of the use of "triclosan", which is used in around 3/4 of the present various things like soaps, cleaning agents, and even some toothpastes that use antibacterial chemicals.  It has been around for about 40 years,  so just what prompted this latest review is still something I read about.

            By the way, I have to keep extra trash cans around for things the septic tank can't digest, like condoms, feminine hygiene things, and all the other things people routinely flush down their toilets. All that stuff goes into the trash pits. I even have this subject included in a welcome aboard brief for new people since these days most don't think about it very much.

            I always remember an article in Discover Magazine I read years ago that suggested our mothers were right, like always wash your hands with soap and water, and that does pretty well for most of our health needs.  Even next time when visiting your doc, or vet, notice there is usually a sink and soap and paper towels of some kind so they can wash their hands. And those that suggest sneezing into the cloth on your arm are thinking the same way.

            And none of these ideas include antibacterial soaps and other such things. So if the FDA should ban it, I think most will be OK in the long run.