Joined
·
2,550 Posts
My feeling, exactly. I second that one !!! 
and let me elaborate:
Antibacterial Soap is Useless -- Perhaps not a con job, but certainly not a solution either. You've seen the ads for hundreds of brands of antibacterial soaps, cleansers, skin creams and other products all claiming to kill bacteria. Our desire for cleanliness has become compulsive and that has fuelled a billion dollar business.
All of these products contain the compound triclosan but new research shows it may be virtually useless when it comes to killing potentially dangerous bacteria. Even worse, experts believe many of these products may create potent reservoirs for the spread of harmful microbes.
``Right now, the antibacterial obsession of the public is providing us with triclosan-containing products that kill off beneficial microorganisms, along with some potential pathogens--but leave some deadly pathogens in their wake,'' said Dr. Maura Meade of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She presented her findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
Triclosan is the active ingredient in over 700 products, including soaps, detergents, toothpaste and acne medications. And because it does not break down in extreme heat, triclosan is often mixed into fabrics and plastics used in both hospitals and homes.
However, a host of dangerous micro organisms long ago developed resistance to triclosan. Assessing the extent of this resistance, Meade's team introduced triclosan-resistant strains of three types of bacteria capable of causing blood infections, meningitis and other serious infections into various products containing triclosan.
The result? Colonies of all three bacteria ``survived longer than 16 weeks in popular household hand soaps, dishwashing liquids and acne treatments,'' according to the researchers. Products containing triclosan were also found to be no more effective at restraining the growth of E. coli bacteria than products without the compound. Some strains of E. coli can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Worse, these types of bacteria did more than just survive on fabrics and plastics impregnated with triclosan--they thrived, forming resilient ``biofilms'' on product surfaces.
``Biofilms are responsible for a multitude of problems,'' Meade's team warns, ``from the formation of cavities and infections around artificial joints to the fouling of water pipes and the film on shower curtains.''
Meade said the solution to these problems is not the development of new, more powerful antibacterial compounds. In fact, she said, ``industry should stay away from antibacterial compounds altogether. They are unnecessary, don't actually improve the product, and can cause severe health and environmental problems.''
Instead, the public needs to remember that the vast majority of microbes are beneficial--aiding in digestion, breaking down waste and working hard to create everything from bread to yoghurt to wine.
``We cannot live without micro organisms--it is literally suicide to try to remove them from your environment,'' Meade said. Instead, she advises the average consumer to ``try to keep your immune system healthy by exercising and maintaining a healthy diet.
``These are the things that will keep you healthy--not triclosan or any other antibacterial product,'' she concludes.
Food for thought anyone?
and let me elaborate:Antibacterial Soap is Useless -- Perhaps not a con job, but certainly not a solution either. You've seen the ads for hundreds of brands of antibacterial soaps, cleansers, skin creams and other products all claiming to kill bacteria. Our desire for cleanliness has become compulsive and that has fuelled a billion dollar business.
All of these products contain the compound triclosan but new research shows it may be virtually useless when it comes to killing potentially dangerous bacteria. Even worse, experts believe many of these products may create potent reservoirs for the spread of harmful microbes.
``Right now, the antibacterial obsession of the public is providing us with triclosan-containing products that kill off beneficial microorganisms, along with some potential pathogens--but leave some deadly pathogens in their wake,'' said Dr. Maura Meade of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She presented her findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
Triclosan is the active ingredient in over 700 products, including soaps, detergents, toothpaste and acne medications. And because it does not break down in extreme heat, triclosan is often mixed into fabrics and plastics used in both hospitals and homes.
However, a host of dangerous micro organisms long ago developed resistance to triclosan. Assessing the extent of this resistance, Meade's team introduced triclosan-resistant strains of three types of bacteria capable of causing blood infections, meningitis and other serious infections into various products containing triclosan.
The result? Colonies of all three bacteria ``survived longer than 16 weeks in popular household hand soaps, dishwashing liquids and acne treatments,'' according to the researchers. Products containing triclosan were also found to be no more effective at restraining the growth of E. coli bacteria than products without the compound. Some strains of E. coli can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Worse, these types of bacteria did more than just survive on fabrics and plastics impregnated with triclosan--they thrived, forming resilient ``biofilms'' on product surfaces.
``Biofilms are responsible for a multitude of problems,'' Meade's team warns, ``from the formation of cavities and infections around artificial joints to the fouling of water pipes and the film on shower curtains.''
Meade said the solution to these problems is not the development of new, more powerful antibacterial compounds. In fact, she said, ``industry should stay away from antibacterial compounds altogether. They are unnecessary, don't actually improve the product, and can cause severe health and environmental problems.''
Instead, the public needs to remember that the vast majority of microbes are beneficial--aiding in digestion, breaking down waste and working hard to create everything from bread to yoghurt to wine.
``We cannot live without micro organisms--it is literally suicide to try to remove them from your environment,'' Meade said. Instead, she advises the average consumer to ``try to keep your immune system healthy by exercising and maintaining a healthy diet.
``These are the things that will keep you healthy--not triclosan or any other antibacterial product,'' she concludes.
Food for thought anyone?
