"Whether you're washing your hands or the kitchen countertops, it's best for your family's health and the environment to pass up antibacterial products in favour of plain soap and water, a University of Victoria researcher has found.
UVic molecular biologist Caren Helbing found while triclosan -- common in soaps, clothing, toys and other items having antibacterial properties -- isn't lethal in small quantities, it can potentially affect the human thyroid gland. The thyroid plays a role in development, body temperature and metabolism."