On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 18:01:28 GMT, Mark
wrote:

And I've heard the germicidal hand soap is actually unhealthy,
especially for youngsters, because it reduces exposure to low level
germs that tune up the immune system.

Depends on what you mean by "germicidal". Hand soap is usually OK.
It's a gross over-application of a very simple biocide.

The risky aspect is when treatments like Microban become ubiquitous,
especially in places where they're entirely inappropriate like shower
cubicles and cat litter trays.