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From VOA Learning English, |
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this is the Health Report. |
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One of the best ways to avoid getting sick |
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is washing your hands with soap and water. |
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It has been shown effective in removing harmful germs |
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and preventing their spread. |
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Some companies have gone to great lengths |
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to manufacture germ-killing products |
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like antibacterial soaps. |
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In the United States, |
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a federal agency recently called |
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on the makers of such soaps |
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to prove they are more effective |
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than traditional soap and water. |
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said |
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the widespread use of antibacterial soaps |
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may be partly to blame for an increase |
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in rising rates of drug-resistant bacteria, |
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some evidence have suggested the products |
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may even be harmful to your health. |
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The FDA has proposed that manufacturers |
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be required to prove that antimicrobial soaps |
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lower rates of disease more than other soaps. |
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It would also require the companies to show |
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how these cleanser do more good than harm. |
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FDA officials estimate there are about |
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2,000 antimicrobial soaps on the market. |
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People may think such products do a better job |
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protecting them from getting sick, however, |
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some studies suggest long-term use of the products |
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can affect hormone levels and may be linked to cancer. |
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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) |
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has taken legal action against the FDA |
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for letting companies use the chemicals triclosan |
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and triclocarban in soaps. |
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Mae Wu is a lawyer with the group. |
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"I think it's a great for start." |
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But soap industry representatives say |
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they do not understand the FDA proposal. |
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In a statement, the Personal Care Products Council says |
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it has already given in-depth data to the government. |
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It says the information shows that antibacterial soaps |
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are more effective in killing germs |
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when compared with non-antibacterial soap. |
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It also says the soaps do not add to resistance of antibiotic drugs. |
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Sandra Kweder is the Deputy Director of the FDA. |
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She says her agency's move is an attempt |
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to learn the benefits of using antibacterial products |
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and their possible risks. |
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If the proposed rule is approved, |
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soap manufacturers would have to carry out studies |
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showing their products are safe and more effective than plain soap. |
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If approved, Ms Kweder expects the rule would take effect in 2016. |
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And that's the Health Report from VOA Learning English. |
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I'm Milagros Ardin. |
