ATLANTA (CNN) -- An antibacterial chemical could weaken your muscles as you wash your hands.
A new study suggest the antibacterial chemical, Triclosan, hinders muscle contractions at a cellular level. Triclosan is found in many products advertised as antibacterial and many that aren't. Beyond hand soap, you might find the chemical in mouthwashes and toothpastes, deodorants, lipstick, and trash bags.
In the study, researchers at the University of Colorado and the University of California, Davis, found the chemical slowed swimming fish and weakened muscular strength in mice.
Triclosan was also found to cause some muscle failure in isolated cells and fibers.
