{"hq_id":"hq-p-bdy-000121","name":"Bar Soap (Traditional and Antibacterial)","category":{"primary":"personal_care","secondary":"body_care","tags":["bar soap","SLS","fragrance","triclosan","pH","surfactant"]},"product_tier":"BDY","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Traditional bar soaps (sodium tallowate/sodium palmate base, pH 9-10) and synthetic detergent bars (syndet, pH 5.5-7). Traditional soap's alkaline pH disrupts skin acid mantle. FDA banned triclosan and 18 other antibacterial agents from consumer wash products in 2016 after manufacturers failed to demonstrate safety or superiority over plain soap. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from soap.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.878,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"individuals with eczema or sensitive skin","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Alkaline pH (9-10) disrupting skin acid mantle barrier","Fragrance as leading cause of soap-related contact dermatitis","Triclosan persistence in environment (banned in consumer wash 2016)"],"exposure_routes":"Brief dermal contact during washing"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["skin_brief"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Daily hand and body washing (brief contact, 15-60 seconds)","Alkaline soap disrupting skin acid mantle (pH 9-10 vs skin pH 4.5-5.5)","Fragrance causing contact dermatitis"],"notes":"FDA 2016 consumer antiseptic wash rule: triclosan and 18 antibacterial agents banned. Plain soap is as effective as antibacterial soap for hand hygiene (no added benefit demonstrated). Syndet bars (Dove, CeraVe) are pH-neutral and less disruptive to skin barrier than traditional alkaline soap."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Choose fragrance-free soap for sensitive skin. Syndet bars (pH 5.5-7) are gentler than traditional soap (pH 9-10). Plain soap is as effective as antibacterial — no need for antibacterial agents.","safer_alternatives":["Fragrance-free syndet bar (Dove Sensitive, CeraVe, Vanicream)","Fragrance-free liquid hand soap","Castile soap (olive oil-based, milder than tallow/palm)"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Product causes skin irritation, redness, or rash","meaning":"Contact dermatitis or chemical sensitivity.","action":"Discontinue use. Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic alternative."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"EWG Verified or dermatologist-tested label","meaning":"Meets strict ingredient safety criteria.","verification":"Check EWG Skin Deep database for product rating."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Is this product fragrance-free (not just unscented)?","why_it_matters":"Fragrance is the #1 cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. Unscented may still contain masking fragrance.","good_answer":"Fragrance-free — no fragrance ingredients at all.","bad_answer":"Unscented (may contain masking fragrance)."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Fragrance-free syndet bar","notes":"Dove Sensitive, CeraVe, Vanicream"},{"name":"Fragrance-free liquid hand soap","notes":"Safer option"},{"name":"Castile soap","notes":"olive oil-based, milder than tallow/palm"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics)","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","requirements":"Cosmetics must not be adulterated or misbranded. No pre-market approval required (except color additives). Fragrance ingredients exempt from individual disclosure.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009","citation":"EC 1223/2009","requirements":"All cosmetic ingredients must be safety-assessed before market. 1,600+ banned substances. Full ingredient disclosure required (INCI). CMR substances prohibited.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"European Commission","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require warnings.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OEHHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"EWG Verified","issuer":"Environmental Working Group","standard":"EWG Verified Mark","scope":"Meets EWG strictest health criteria for personal care products"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Biodegradable. Recycle packaging.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"months"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000717","name":"Sodium lauryl sulfate","role":"surfactant","concentration_pct":"varies"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000089","name":"Triclosan","role":"banned_antibacterial","concentration_pct":"0 (banned 2016)"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","name":"Formaldehyde","role":"preservative_trace","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Primary formulation for bar soap (traditional and antibacterial)","component":"main product","prevalence":"common","notes":"Standard personal care product formulation."}],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000717","compound_name":null,"role":"surfactant","typical_concentration":"varies"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000089","compound_name":null,"role":"banned_antibacterial","typical_concentration":"0 (banned 2016)"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","compound_name":null,"role":"preservative_trace","typical_concentration":"trace"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["bar soap (traditional and antibacterial)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Johnson & Johnson","manufacturer":"J&J","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Broad personal care portfolio"},{"brand":"Unilever","manufacturer":"Unilever","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Global personal care conglomerate"},{"brand":"Procter & Gamble","manufacturer":"P&G","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Personal care market leader"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics) (21 U.S.C. 361-364)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","id":"src_d6e8aa83"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EC 1223/2009)","jurisdiction":"EU","citation":"EC 1223/2009","id":"src_dc378692"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California Proposition 65 (CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5)","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","id":"src_fe1d5adc"},{"id":"src_001","type":"database","title":"PubChem Compound CID 3423265","url":"https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3423265","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Chemical identity, properties, safety data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000717"},{"id":"src_002","type":"epa","title":"EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID1026031","url":"https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical/details/DTXSID1026031","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Hazard, exposure, and toxicity data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000717"},{"id":"fda_triclosan_ban_2016","type":"regulatory","title":"US FDA: Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics — Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (Final Rule, 21 CFR 310.545)","year":2016,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000089"},{"id":"eu_sccs_triclosan_2009","type":"regulatory","title":"EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS): Opinion on Triclosan — Safety Assessment in Cosmetic Products","year":2009,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000089"},{"id":"iarc_100f_form","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Formaldehyde","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"id":"epa_form_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Formaldehyde (draft)","year":2010,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_82d1cfcd","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:22:07.254Z"}}