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Antibacterial Cleaning Products
The overuse of antibacterial cleaning products in the home may be producing strains
of multi-
Media advertisements press the point
that bacteria in the home are harmful and must be eliminated by using any number
of the antibacterial or antimicrobial products available.
These cleaning products
are no more effective at preventing infection in the home than good personal and
household hygiene using ordinary soap, warm water and plain detergent. Consumers
should avoid using these products unless they have a specific medical reason to do
so.
Numerous household products contain antibacterial agents
Antibacterial and antimicrobial
products are everywhere. They include:
Soaps and detergents
Hand lotions
Disinfectants
Window cleaners
Cleaning cloths
Surface sprays
Mouthwashes
Toothpastes
Garbage bags
and plastic wrap
Textiles, carpet underlay and swimming pool liners.
Many of these products contain antibacterial agents such as triclosan. These ingredients
are valuable in hospitals and other healthcare settings but their effectiveness could
be compromised by unnecessary domestic use. Their widespread use in the home could
make some bacteria resistant to these antibacterial substances.
Environmental risks
Antibacterials such as triclosan can enter the environment and may accumulate in
the food chain over time. Because of this, the national regulatory authority has
decided to reassess their potential to constitute an environmental hazard. This review
is currently still pending.
Cleaning products may contribute to antibiotic resistance
There is some evidence that the use of antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning products
– combined with the overprescription of antibiotics – may produce strains of bacteria
that are resistant to disinfectants and antibiotics. There are several issues involved:
There may not be enough of the antibacterial or antimicrobial agent in these cleaning
products to destroy bacteria completely.
When exposed to antibacterial or antimicrobial
cleaning products, most bacteria will die but some may survive and multiply. These
strains can become resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants.
Resistant strains
of bacteria can lead to increased infection risk in the community, and in hospitals
and other healthcare settings.
Disinfectants are often not used correctly: for example,
they are not mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions (more is not better).
Most bacteria are beneficial
Most bacteria actually help humans. For example, intestinal
bacteria help us to digest food. The ‘good’ bacteria that naturally live on, and
inside, our bodies help us stay healthy by keeping the numbers of ‘bad’, disease-
When you use antibacterial or antimicrobial cleaning products,
good bacteria are also killed. This could be harmful if the ratio of good to bad
bacteria is disturbed, and bad bacteria get the upper hand.
Soap and water is just
as effective
Healthy households do not need these products. Effective hand washing
with soap and household cleaning using warm water and a plain detergent is the cheapest
way to get rid of germs. Avoid antibacterial or antimicrobial products; they are
more expensive, no more effective at cleaning and their widespread use may pose a
wider health risk.
The link to allergies such as asthma and rhinitis
Researchers
have suggested that the Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible
for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis (inflammation
of nasal membranes).
The researchers suggest that some exposure to certain microbes
(such as from faeces or the environment) may actually help regulate the immune system.
This exposure may reduce the body’s tendency to develop an allergic reaction against
common allergens.
This is based on the observations that growing up in a large family,
being in child care from a young age and living with household pets seem to reduce
the chances of developing allergic disease.
It should be noted, however, that a study
across 12 European countries found no relation with the use of household cleaning
products and asthma, hayfever and eczema. This is not surprising, as the actual cleanliness
of homes has probably changed little despite the use of these newer cleaning agents.
More research into this area is needed but current understanding seems to suggest
that the immune systems of children may need some exposure to bacteria and other
microbes in order to function at their best.
In other words, a little dirt never
hurt anyone. We should target our hygiene practices to the areas of greatest risk,
such as washing hands after going to the toilet and before handling food.
How to
reduce the effects of harmful bacteria
Food poisoning is a major health risk. Around
11,500 Australians are affected by food poisoning every day. This is caused by poor
food storage, preparation and handling. To reduce this risk, you should:
Wash and
dry your hands after going to the toilet, blowing your nose and before handling food
– especially between handling raw and cooked food.
Use disposable paper towels to
dry your hands rather than cloth towels, since the bacteria can survive for some
time on objects.
Keep cold food cold (below 5°C) and hot foot hot (above 60°C) to
discourage the growth of bacteria.
Store raw foods below cooked foods in the refrigerator.
Use separate utensils for raw and cooked foods.
Clean the toilet and bathroom regularly,
especially the toilet seat, door handles and taps.
Clean surfaces of baby change
tables every day or more often if they are dirty.
Where to get help
Your doctor
Local
government (council) health department
Maternal and Child Health centres
Things to
remember
Evidence suggests that the use of antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning
products – particularly in combination with the overprescription of antibiotics –
may produce strains of multi-
Antibacterial and antimicrobial
cleaning products are no better at eliminating bacteria than cheaper plain soaps,
detergents and warm water.
Consumers should avoid using antibacterial and antimicrobial
cleaning products unless they have a specific medical reason and have been advised
to do so by their doctor.
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