| [00:00.10] |
From VOA Learning English, |
| [00:02.48] |
this is the Health Report. |
| [00:05.63] |
One of the best ways to avoid getting sick |
| [00:09.62] |
is washing your hands with soap and water. |
| [00:14.27] |
It has been shown effective in removing harmful germs |
| [00:19.04] |
and preventing their spread. |
| [00:21.89] |
Some companies have gone to great lengths |
| [00:25.30] |
to manufacture germ-killing products |
| [00:29.76] |
like antibacterial soaps. |
| [00:32.62] |
In the United States, |
| [00:34.52] |
a federal agency recently called |
| [00:38.23] |
on the makers of such soaps |
| [00:40.93] |
to prove they are more effective |
| [00:44.08] |
than traditional soap and water. |
| [00:47.58] |
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said |
| [00:50.83] |
the widespread use of antibacterial soaps |
| [00:55.58] |
may be partly to blame for an increase |
| [00:59.72] |
in rising rates of drug-resistant bacteria, |
| [01:04.97] |
some evidence have suggested the products |
| [01:08.97] |
may even be harmful to your health. |
| [01:12.72] |
The FDA has proposed that manufacturers |
| [01:17.63] |
be required to prove that antimicrobial soaps |
| [01:22.80] |
lower rates of disease more than other soaps. |
| [01:27.96] |
It would also require the companies to show |
| [01:31.67] |
how these cleanser do more good than harm. |
| [01:37.22] |
FDA officials estimate there are about |
| [01:41.74] |
2,000 antimicrobial soaps on the market. |
| [01:47.03] |
People may think such products do a better job |
| [01:51.64] |
protecting them from getting sick, however, |
| [01:55.69] |
some studies suggest long-term use of the products |
| [02:00.50] |
can affect hormone levels and may be linked to cancer. |
| [02:06.35] |
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) |
| [02:10.15] |
has taken legal action against the FDA |
| [02:14.51] |
for letting companies use the chemicals triclosan |
| [02:19.71] |
and triclocarban in soaps. |
| [02:23.26] |
Mae Wu is a lawyer with the group. |
| [02:27.46] |
"I think it's a great for start." |
| [02:29.32] |
But soap industry representatives say |
| [02:32.57] |
they do not understand the FDA proposal. |
| [02:37.67] |
In a statement, the Personal Care Products Council says |
| [02:42.68] |
it has already given in-depth data to the government. |
| [02:48.44] |
It says the information shows that antibacterial soaps |
| [02:54.20] |
are more effective in killing germs |
| [02:57.75] |
when compared with non-antibacterial soap. |
| [03:02.91] |
It also says the soaps do not add to resistance of antibiotic drugs. |
| [03:10.20] |
Sandra Kweder is the Deputy Director of the FDA. |
| [03:16.06] |
She says her agency's move is an attempt |
| [03:20.93] |
to learn the benefits of using antibacterial products |
| [03:26.67] |
and their possible risks. |
| [03:29.18] |
If the proposed rule is approved, |
| [03:32.34] |
soap manufacturers would have to carry out studies |
| [03:37.08] |
showing their products are safe and more effective than plain soap. |
| [03:43.58] |
If approved, Ms Kweder expects the rule would take effect in 2016. |
| [03:51.09] |
And that's the Health Report from VOA Learning English. |
| [03:55.45] |
I'm Milagros Ardin. |