New concern over antibacterial soaps and cleaners Reported by: Barbara Smith
Last Update: 7:53 am
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) It’s the cold and flu season, and this year, because of H1N1 there is an even greater emphasis on hand washing and keeping surfaces clean. But a new study shows using antibacterial products to protect you and your family may do more harm than good in the long run.
Dr. Richard Besser says a new study shows the extra layer of protection provided by the products could potentially create “superbugs”, bacteria that is resistant to all of the antibiotics currently in our arsenal. “They leave a coating on surfaces and on your hands, and what this study suggested is that the small amount of those chemicals that are left behind, might actually promote the development of resistance to other antibiotics.”
The study points to one antibiotic in particular danger, Ciprofloxacin. Cipro is used to treat lung, skin, and bone infections, and is the drug of choice for the treatment of E Coli infections. Dr. Besser says “to use something that may make a bug resistant to that very important antibiotic is very concerning.” He says the chemical causing the greatest concern in antibacterial products is Dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. It is commonly found in cleaning supplies, but Dr. Besser says the chemicals found in antibacterial hand soaps are also problematic and should be avoided. “Plain soap and water, washing for a good thirty seconds is the best way to get germs off your hands and dirt off of things.”
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top%20stories/story/New-concern-over-antibacterial-soaps-and-cleaners/8OXIgzqL9UqGY8lAfvYzWA.cspx?rss=20
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