Poll: Most adults use antibacterial soap, find it useful

WASHINGTON — A poll released by the American Cleaning Institute found that nearly three-quarters of Americans use antibacterial soap, and many of them wouldn't be happy if the government banned such products.

The poll, which consisted of 1,000 U.S. adults, ages 18 years and older, found that 74% of consumers use antibacterial soap — with 56% of those respondents using them on a regular basis — and deemed antibacterial soap as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of germs.

Additional findings included:

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  Among moms with children in the household, 75% said would be "angry" if the government took antibacterial soap off the market;

  
  


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  Two-thirds of consumers would be upset if the government took antibacterial soap off the market;

  
  


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  Eighty-four percent of adults do not have any health or environmental concerns about antibacterial soap; and

  
  


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  By an 8-to-1 margin, consumers would prefer to have the choice to buy antibacterial soap rather than removing it from the market based on alleged health and environmental concerns.

  
  

The poll followed an urge from special-interest groups for the government to ban the use of antibacterial agents in personal care products, despite overwhelming science demonstrating their safety and effectiveness.

"This poll demonstrates that American consumers want access to soaps that are proven to eliminate germs and help fight infections," said Brian Sansoni, spokesman for the American Cleaning Institute. "These products are used safely and effectively in homes, offices, restaurants, child care centers and thousands of other workplaces every single day."