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Common
Household Antibacterial
Found Ineffective and Harmful
ORLANDO
(Reuters Health) - Hundreds of brands of antibacterial soaps,
cleansers, skin creams and other products containing the compound
triclosan may be virtually useless when it comes to killing potentially
dangerous bacteria, researchers report. 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 Thursday 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 microorganisms 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 handsoaps, 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.''
Speaking with
Reuters Health, 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 yogurt to wine.
``We cannot
live without microorganisms--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.
Reference
Source 89
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