Anti Bacterial Products
A walk into any grocery store, pharmacy or retail store will show you how far anti-bacterial products have come. It is more than just bottles of hand sanitizers and soap. These days, there is a whole line of products that feature chemicals which seem to be aimed at wiping out the potential for the growth of bacterium, and to make our environment germ free. The real question is whether or not these products are really necessary. Do they do more harm than good?
Tuberculosis, food poisoning, strep-throat, pneumonia and cholera are some of the reasons why people rush out to buy anti-bacterial products. Perhaps it is best to understand how ineffective these products can be when compared to old fashioned common sense. Then people might realize that these products are not only a waste of their money, but also could be potentially damaging.
The process of getting rid of these unicellular organisms is actually pretty simple. The most effective process involves hot water, soap and a sanitizer such as alcohol or bleach. The hot water loosens the dirt and grime allowing the bacteria to remain on the surface. The soap washes the bacteria away and anything left is rendered unstable by the alcohol or bleach. Both alcohol and bleach leave no residue behind and are safe to use on anything.
Anti-bacterial products typically contain Triclosan, which acts in a manner similar to alcohol and bleach. The problem arises because after applying the product, a thin layer is left behind. This allows the bacteria that were not destroyed to grow and become resistant to the ingredient. These resistances can cause genetic mutations that produce bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics, in a process called cross resistance. Take for example the Triclosan. It can give birth to bacterium that is resistant to the drug Isoniazid. Isoniazid is the drug that is used when a person contracts cholera.
If a germ free world were possible, then everyone would be walking around in sterile bubbles. But there are not many of these bubbles bouncing around, so you have to make do with other techniques. Do not resort to buying every anti-bacterial product on the market. Hot water, soap and alcohol work better and are far more effective without the side effects that these products create. So save your money, go with the old fashioned remedies and stop worrying about things you can’t even see.
By Health Editor
