Australian manufacturers are following the US lead in removing some chemicals from antibacterial soaps, over concerns they could be doing more harm than good.

Key points: Woolworths, Aldi, Colgate-Palmolive and Reckitt Benckiser (which owns Dettol) to remove "ineffective" chemicals from antibacterial products

Woolworths, Aldi, Colgate-Palmolive and Reckitt Benckiser (which owns Dettol) to remove "ineffective" chemicals from antibacterial products The chemicals, triclosan and triclocarban, have been banned by the US FDA but are still legal in Australia

The chemicals, triclosan and triclocarban, have been banned by the US FDA but are still legal in Australia Microbiologist says Australia should follow US lead, given routine use of antibacterial soaps is promoting "superbugs"

The ABC has confirmed four producers are set to remove triclosan and triclocarban — which are banned in the United States but legal in Australia — from their products.

A fifth company is looking at reformulating its medicated soap.

Those two chemicals were among 19 active ingredients banned by the US Food and Drug Administration in September.

The FDA said there was not enough evidence to show these products were better than ordinary soap and water, and that they could do more harm than good.

The ruling cited concerns from scientists that long-term exposure to these chemicals could promote antibiotic resistance, disrupt hormones and, potentially, cause cancer in mice.

Calls for similar ban in Australia

Microbiologist Liz Harry, from University of Technology Sydney's ithree institute, which researches infectious diseases, was pleased about the changes in America.

"I'm really surprised that the US has done this, because there must have been a lot of pressure from commercial entities … I think this is fantastic. I applaud it," she said.

Professor Liz Harry, from the University of Technology Sydney's ithree institute, wants a similar ban introduced in Australia. ( ABC News: Nicole Chettle )

Professor Harry said the routine use of antibacterial soaps was promoting so-called "superbugs" and called for a similar ban to be introduced in Australia.

"An antibiotic, a drug that you take for infection is the same type of entity that's in an antibacterial soap. They're just different types of chemicals. But they're all called antibacterials," she said.

"Bacterial DNA can encode resistance. On these same pieces of DNA are resistance to things like penicillin and your basic antibiotics … So that whole piece of DNA goes from one bacteria to millions of others on the bathroom floor.

"Then they're all resistant, not just to the antibacterial in your wash, but also an antibiotic. That's where you have a problem.

"There will come a time when antibiotics won't work. They're already not working for some diseases. And we don't have anything else in the pipeline."

Manufacturers plan to eliminate chemicals within 12 months

The ABC visited several supermarkets, department stores, pharmacies and discount retailers where soaps containing triclosan and triclocarban are sold legally in Australia.

Johnson & Johnson produces Gamophen medicated soap, containing triclosan, for the treatment of acne.

In a statement, the company said it was "exploring options for the reformulation of Gamophen, ensuring it continues to deliver the same quality benefits for consumers".

When the ABC contacted four other manufacturers, they each confirmed they would eliminate the chemicals that are banned in the US from antibacterial soaps in the next 12 months.

Those companies were Woolworths, Aldi, Colgate-Palmolive and Reckitt Benckiser (RB) — the makers of Dettol.

RB said none of its liquid products contained chemicals banned in the US, adding that: "Dettol bar soap in Australia does contain triclocarban (TCC) at levels well below those considered safe by authorities such as the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).

"As with all our products — they comply with the local regulations of the markets in which they are sold.

"By the end of 2017 none of our formulations will contain TCC."

Aldi, Woolworths and Johnson & Johnson distribute soaps containing triclosan, a chemical Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital stopped using five years ago when it was found to be ineffective.

Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital stopped using triclosan five years ago because it was found to be ineffective. ( ABC News: Nicole Chettle )

However, Gulietta Pontivivo, the nurse manager for infection prevention and control services at the hospital, said it was important that healthcare workers still had access to the products.

"There was quite a lot of resistant bacterial germs — [from] microbes to triclosan. So we moved over to chlorhexidine. But we still have it available because some of our patients are allergic, so it's important that we have a choice," she said.

The FDA decision excluded hospitals, where antibacterial products are critical to prevent infection.

But Ms Pontivivo said they were carefully managed.

"We do try to limit access to chemicals because we also want to protect our healthcare workers. But there are times when it's really important that we do have access to them and use them wisely," she said.

"I don't think that the general public should be using these chemicals. And I don't think they need to.

"I think warm, soapy water and drying your hands is quite adequate."

Dirt 'great' for children

The ABC visited a childcare centre in the Sydney suburb of Top Ryde, where children are encouraged to explore the natural environment and play with mud.

Children play in the mud at a childcare centre in Sydney. ( ABC News: Nicole Chettle )

Early childhood teacher Jake Beesley said exposure to bacteria was healthy for children, who were encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water.

"It is a little bit disheartening when you see people passing around little bottles of hand sanitiser before they have a meal," he said.

"It just seems to be a little bit of scare-mongering.

"Try not to be sacred of dirt. It's a good thing. It's great for the children."

Professor Harry said other ingredients contained in antibacterial soaps should be investigated.

"Do we really need them? Do they lead to a decrease in the number of infections?" she said.

"Secondly — are they safe to use? And thirdly are they going to lead to resistance to drugs that we need to save lives?"

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is looking at whether any action is required in Australia.