Antibacterials of little use: study

[joeunderdog]

The antibacterial soaps, laundry detergents and other household cleaning products that have become increasingly popular in recent years apparently offer little protection against the most common germs, a survey has found.

In a study involving 238 New York families, those who used only antibacterial cleaners were just as likely to get fevers, sniffles, sore throats, coughs, rashes and stomach problems as those who used standard cleaners.

"This study certainly indicates that antibacterial soaps may not be necessary and may not be offering any value," said Elaine Larson, associate dean for research at the Columbia University School of Nursing, who led the study. "The very small amount of antibacterial ingredients in these soaps don't seem to be doing much."

Public concern about germs has increased in recent years with highly publicised cases of food poisoning from E. coli, "flesh-eating" bacteria and the emergence of new diseases such as SARS.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/02/1078191329823.html

Put that stockpile of soap away with the duct tape and plastic, nothing can stop your flesh from being eaten now.

[eyesroll]

1. OK, here's the thing

What causes the bulk of sore throats, coughs, stomach problems, etc.?

VIRUSES.

What do antibacterials kill? BACTERIA.
Antibacterial soaps are probably quite effective (in the immediate) against actual bacteria -- assuming they're used properly. (That means agitiation for 15 to 30 seconds. Most people just swipe and rinse.)

For virus killing, look to "hand sanitizer." The word "sanitizer" is a governmentally defined term (wipes out 99.9 percent of microbes on a surface, but not necessarily their spores).

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guidej.html

[progressivebydesign]

2. Thanks for the info..

Very well informed. You make a great point! I think another great way for people to protect themselves from coming down with viruses, is to care for their immune systems.. but stopping the assault on their bodies from bad food, alcohol, cigarettes, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, etc. My favorite illustration of people worried about the wrong things, is people I know who smoke, but buy bottled water because of all the chemicals in tap water. Like washing your hands in anti-bacterial soap while abusing your immune system. Even if you get the germs.. you don't necessarily have to get sick, that's up to your immune system! But it's a quick fix, I suppose.

[eyesroll]

3. Thanks -- I do this for a living

I edit a trade journal covering the cleaning industry.

Washing your hands does help in one way, regardless -- you're less likely to spread your germs to others (through handshakes or through fomites ).

[bain_sidhe]

4. I think we're making ourselves less resistant

No studies to back it up, I just think that having to deal with a few germs (not an overwhelming amount, obviously) on a regular basis helps keep our natural antibody-production mechanism in shape. So, I don't use anti-bacterial anything. I do, however, wash meat cutting board with a little bleach in the water, just in case, so perhaps I'm just a little hypocritical on that point...

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Bleach is probably a good thing to go with

since it's effect is more chemical than biological (it's highly damaging to all kinds of molecules, not just ones in certain organisms), I think the chances of bacteria developing a resistance to it are fairly low, unlike specific anti-bacterial chemicals. It's possible in theory (look at the ones that can withstand very high temperatures), but I think there would have to be many stages of mutations.

ps

Muriel, Greenspan echoed my Japan concerns.

7. (deleted)

6. I've tested in the lab

Also, listerine is worthless.