VOA慢速英语:The Food and Drug Administration Questions Safety of Antibacterial Soaps

One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is washing your hands with soap and water. It has been shown effective in removing harmful germs and preventing their spread. Some companies have gone to great lengths to manufacture germ-killing products like antibacterial soaps.
避免生病最好的办法之一是用肥皂和清水洗手，这已经被证明能有效去除有害细菌并防止其传播。一些公司一直竭尽全力地制造杀菌产品，如抗菌肥皂。

In the United States, a federal agency recently called on the makers of such soaps to prove they are more effective than traditional soap and water.
在美国，一家联邦机构近日要求这类肥皂的制造商证明它们比传统肥皂和清水更为有效。

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the widespread use of antibacterial soaps may be partly to blame for an increase in rising rates of drug-resistant bacteria, some evidence have suggested the products may even be harmful to your health.
美国食品药品管理局（FDA）称，广泛使用抗菌肥皂可能是耐药菌不断增加的部分原因。一些证据已经表明这类产品甚至可能会损害您的健康。

The FDA has proposed that manufacturers be required to prove that antimicrobial soaps lower rates of disease more than other soaps. It would also require the companies to show how these cleanser do more good than harm.
美国食品药品管理局已经提出，要求制造商证明抗菌肥皂减少致病率比其它肥皂更强。它还将要求这些公司展示出这类清洁用品如何利大于弊。

FDA officials estimate there are about 2,000 antimicrobial soaps on the market. People may think such products do a better job protecting them from getting sick, however, some studies suggest long-term use of the products can affect hormone levels and may be linked to cancer.
美国食品药品管理局官员估计市场上大约有2000种抗菌肥皂。人们可能认为这样产品能更好地防止他们生病，但是，一些研究表明，长期使用此类产品会影响激素水平，并可能和癌症有关。

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has taken legal action against the FDA for letting companies use the chemicals triclosan and triclocarban in soaps.
美国自然资源保护委员会（NRDC）已经针对美国食品药品管理局允许有关公司在肥皂中使用三氯生和三氯卡班等化学用品采取法律行动。

Mae Wu is a lawyer with the group. "I think it's a great for start." But soap industry representatives say they do not understand the FDA proposal.
Mae Wu是该组织的一名律师。“我认为这是一个伟大的开始。”但肥皂行业的代表称，他们不明白美国食品药品管理局的提案。

In a statement, the Personal Care Products Council says it has already given in-depth data to the government. It says the information shows that antibacterial soaps are more effective in killing germs when compared with non-antibacterial soap. It also says the soaps do not add to resistance of antibiotic drugs.
在一份声明中，个人护理产品委员会称，它已经向政府提交了一份深入的数据，有关资料显示，抗菌肥皂在杀菌方面比非抗菌肥皂更有效。它还称，这些肥皂不会增加抗生素药物的耐药性。

Sandra Kweder is the Deputy Director of the FDA. She says her agency's move is an attempt to learn the benefits of using antibacterial products and their possible risks.
Sandra Kweder是美国食品药品管理局副局长。她说，该机构的举动是为了了解使用抗菌产品的优点及其可能的风险。

If the proposed rule is approved, soap manufacturers would have to carry out studies showing their products are safe and more effective than plain soap.
如果该提案被通过，肥皂制造商将不得不进行研究来证明其产品是安全的，并且比普通肥皂更有效。

If approved, Ms Kweder expects the rule would take effect in 2016.
Kweder女士称，如果提案通过，她预计将在2016年生效。