Antibacterial battle Triclosan, the bacteria-zapping chemical found in a variety of products, is effective. But is it really needed to keep things clean?

Dish soap. Conveyor belts. Toothpaste. Socks. Deodorant. Latex paint.

You can buy “antibacterial” versions of plenty of products, all imbued with triclosan, the chemical that provides the bacteria-killing muscle. Classified as a pesticide, triclosan kills good and bad bacteria indiscriminately. That’s just one of several concerns and controversies surrounding the man-made chemical:

It lingers in the environment.

Shoppers might not know when they’ve bought antibacterial products because it’s not always clear what is or isn’t.

What does it mean that it’s in so many household products?

Studies show that for household needs, regular soap and water fight bacteria just fine, so why use it?

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