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Biden confronts campus protests; Trump hedges on accepting election results

Kristi Noem just won’t stop talking about killing her dog

Noem’s dog-killing isn’t popular, though Trump supporters are divided

The new cure-all for vacation excess: the IV drip 

What’s the best bus to New York? We tested 5 for comfort and value.

Adaptive equipment is making national parks more inclusive

Trump Media auditor charged by SEC with ‘massive fraud’

Google’s empire is massive. A judge will soon rule if it’s a monopoly.

Five tech products we actually like

The Post endorses April McClain Delaney and Tom Royals for Maryland’s 6th District

On Press Freedom Day, little to celebrate for Hong Kong’s journalists

Young Georgians want to be part of Europe. Their government is in the way.

Confident of victory over Ukraine, Russia exhibits Western war trophies

Two women are seeking Mexico’s presidency. But the race is about a man.

Hamas in Cairo for hostage talks as Israel briefs aid agencies on Rafah

Ask Amy: My boyfriend just confessed he’s almost $20,000 in debt

Miss Manners: Is it inappropriate to reach out to old girlfriends?

Carolyn Hax: Longtime friend won’t forgive being last-minute canceled for a guy

The New York Times, alone in its outrage over access to Biden

The ‘Access Hollywood’ video cemented Trump’s air of invincibility

Stephen A. Smith would like even more of your attention

In a pinch, the Nationals finally find some offense

Is Pastis as good as our food critic thought? He sent spies to find out.

The Capitals, a team in transition, know what they want this offseason

Strangers help Sesame Street puppeteer after heirloom necklace was stolen

Teen grabs wheel when driver passes out and school bus veers into traffic

Cat climbed into Amazon return box, found alive 630 miles away

In photos: At least 39 dead as historic flooding hits southern Brazil

Sea level rise brings new era of dangerous flooding

Michael Cohen keeps broadcasting despite being a witness

The colorful gels have become the front lines in our fight against germs. Antiseptic hand sanitizers in greens, blues and reds are now ubiquitous in schools, workplaces and hospitals. They are must-haves in moms' pocketbooks. And they have been distributed in West Africa to fight Ebola and in South Korea against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

Although these products were designed to be used when old-fashioned soap and water aren't available, many people use them multiple times a day even when a sink is nearby under the belief that they are killing more bacteria.

The Food and Drug Administration says the problem is that we still don't have enough information to know whether these products present unknown safety and efficacy concerns, and on Wednesday, the agency asked manufacturers to provide scientific data for three active ingredients: alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol), isopropyl alcohol and benzalkonium chloride. They are looking for information that the ingredients are safe, effective and reduce bacteria on skin. The FDA's request also applies to hand wipes.

The FDA emphasized that it does not mean it believes the products are ineffective or unsafe, and it is not asking for any consumer hand sanitizer products to be removed from store shelves at this time.

"It’s our responsibility to determine whether these products are safe and effective so that consumers can be confident when using them on themselves and their families multiple times a day. To do that, we must fill the gaps in scientific data on certain active ingredients,” Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

The FDA expressed particular interest in information about repeated exposure and use by children and pregnant women. It noted that "emerging science" suggests that detection of antiseptic ingredients in the blood or urine is higher than previously thought in full body exposure.

The agency's request is part of a massive inquiry of 22 chemicals that fight bacteria and that has set the $30 billion industry against some scientist groups that are concerned that the ingredients, which linger in the environment and can be absorbed by the body, may not work as advertised and may be contributing to antibiotic resistance.

In September, the FDA is expected to announce a decision on antibacterial soaps and whether they are safe and more effective than soap and water. The companies that make the products are concerned that if the FDA decides against them, they will have to relabel and reformulate the products.

[FDA wants more proof that antibacterial soaps actually work]

The two major industry groups — the American Cleaning Institute and the Personal Care Products Council — have said they have the data to show their products are safe and effective and dispute the idea that they may be contributing to creating superbugs. They said that scientific evidence points to prescription antibiotics and animals we eat as the cause. They have also warned that a ban on antibacterial soap, gels, wipes and other cleaning tools would pose a serious public health risk, leading to increased incidence of infection and disease.

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/06/27/dear-tiger-mom-your-perfectionist-parenting-style-may-be-detrimental-to-your-child/">Your perfectionist parenting style may be detrimental to your child</a>

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/06/28/the-days-of-the-dreaded-annual-pelvic-exam-for-women-may-be-numbered/">The days of the dreaded pelvic exam for women may be numbered</a>

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/06/28/boston-subway-study-finds-no-plague-or-anthrax-but-plenty-of-other-lifeforms/">Boston subway study finds no plague or anthrax -- but plenty of other crazy little lifeforms</a>

<a class="row-title" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/26/is-10000-steps-goal-more-myth-than-science-study-seeks-fitness-truths-through-our-phones-and-more/" title="Edit “Is 10,000-steps goal more myth than science? Study seeks fitness truths through our phones and more”">Is 10,000-step goal more myth than science? Study seeks fitness truths through our phones and more</a>

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/24/sparking-fears-of-a-zombie-apocalypse-controversial-study-aims-to-reanimate-the-brain-dead/">Controversial study aims to ‘reanimate’ the brain-dead</a>

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/sean-parker-silicon-valleys-bad-boy-geniuswants-to-beat-cancer/2016/04/15/095fe914-00e3-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html">IN DEPTH: Sean Parker, Silicon Valley’s bad boy genius, wants to kick the *!$% out of cancer</a>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/postwellness/">Like our Health &amp; Wellness page on Facebook</a> for more science news about the ins and outs of the human body and mind, essays and advice. You can <a href="http://wapo.st/1LDkwOZ">sign up here</a> for our newsletter.

Columbia University

Ariana Eunjung Cha is a national reporter. She has previously served as The Post's bureau chief in Shanghai and San Francisco, and as a correspondent in Baghdad.

Ariana Eunjung Cha

The Washington Post

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