Antimicrobials

Our Institute is working to reduce  harmful and often unnecessary uses of antimicrobial chemicals in consumer products. 

Science

We collaborate with scientists from academia, government, and NGOs on investigating the harms versus benefits of antimicrobial chemicals, and we translate the findings for policy makers, the press, and the public.

The Florence Statement

In 2017, we co-led the Florence Statement on Triclosan and Triclocarban, a consensus statement signed by more than 200 scientists and medical professionals from around the world. The statement documented the lack of evidence that these antimicrobials provide health benefits, alongside growing evidence of harm to people and the environment. It called for limiting their use in soaps, textiles, and other consumer products.

Joint Statement on Antimicrobials in Building Products 

In 2021 the Institute collaborated with a group of leading green building organizations, architects, and scientists who issued a Joint Statement on Antimicrobials in Building Products concluding that “When it comes to adding antimicrobials to our built environment, there are known costs and unproven benefits. We support architects, designers, building owners, and product manufacturers in making appropriate, evidence-based choices to protect public health, and showing precaution when deploying solutions that are not supported by research.” 

 FDA Ban of 19 Antimicrobials from Consumer Soaps

In the same year, the FDA banned triclosan, triclocarban, and 19 other antimicrobials from consumer antibacterial soaps and body washes, concluding they were neither safe nor effective. However, at the request of manufacturers, the FDA deferred rulemaking for one year on two quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) called benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride and an organohalogen called chloroxylenol. The FDA has extended this deferral several more times and has still not reached a decision. During this delay, evidence of the health hazards linked to these ingredients (including their potential contributions to antimicrobial resistance) has increased, while there remains no evidence of benefit of antibacterial over plain soap.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds and Chloroxylenol: Regrettable Substitutes

When triclosan and triclocarban were phased out of soaps and many other uses, QACs and chloroxylenol became widespread substitutes. The COVID-19 pandemic led to further increased use of QACs and chloroxylenol in sprays, wipes, textiles, and other consumer products.

In 2023 we partnered with scientists from 14 universities and several government agencies and NGOs to review the benefits and risks of QACs. Like their predecessors, these chemicals are not only linked to health problems, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental harm, but also provide no benefit over plain soap and water for most uses. We published our findings and recommendations in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science & Technology.

We are also tracking and sharing the science on chloroxylenol, which is used in popular antibacterial hand/dish soaps. Chloroxylenol has been detected in human breast milk and is linked to reproductive, neurological, cardiovascular, and skin harms as well as antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial Resistance

In 2026 we led an international group of scientists in publishing a viewpoint in Environmental Science & Technology highlighting evidence that QACs and other antimicrobial chemicals can drive resistance in bacteria and undermine the effectiveness of antibiotic medicines. We call on the World Health Organization to include consumer‑product biocides in the next Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. We also urge national governments to restrict antimicrobial ingredients in household products when there is no evidence of efficacy, such as antibacterial hand soaps or laundry sanitizers.

Gym Investigation

In 2023 we visited twenty gyms in the San Francisco Bay Area to observe what gym patrons were using and found that over half the gyms requested their customers use QAC-based products to spray or wipe the equipment after each use. However, several gyms used alternatives: hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and citric acid. To be effective, antimicrobials need to be applied to a clean surface and left wet for several minutes, which is not how gym patrons use these products. To clean equipment in between uses, damp cloths or a soap and water solution are all that is needed. When disinfection is necessary, this should be done by trained staff according to the manufacturer’s directions and with the use of proper protective measures. Read more here.

Policy

We inform policies that reduce the use of antimicrobials in consumer products, working with regulators, legislators, and NGOs at the state and federal levels.

FDA Letter

In 2024, our Institute and Earthjustice led a letter, co-signed by more than 40 environmental and health organizations, urging the FDA to finalize its decision on whether it will continue allowing the use of benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol in over-the-counter hand and body washes. 

California Safer Soap Act

In 2025, California Assemblymember Alex Lee introduced Assembly Bill 916, the Safer Soap Act, to ban the sale of over-the-counter hand soaps and body washes containing benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol. This would fill the regulatory vacuum left open by the FDA’s delay. Our Institute provides scientific support and testimony for this bill.

Education

We educate decision makers in government and industry about limiting unnecessary and harmful uses of antimicrobials through workshops, talks, and webinars.

Workshops

In October of 2025, we hosted an in-person “Information Exchange” meeting that brought together representatives from most of the major soap and cleaning brands that use antimicrobials, scientists, government, NGOs, and antimicrobial manufacturers.

Media Outreach

Our papers on antimicrobials received media coverage in The Guardian, CTV News, ABC News,  Toronto Star, Fox News, and more. We have also talked to Popular Science, Architectural Digest, Time magazine, and more about antimicrobial chemicals in consumer products. We also helped Medicine Explained create this fun TikTok video about antibacterial soap.