Handwash does more harm than good warn scientists

Handwash does more harm than good warn scientists
8 September, 2016
Superbugs are becoming stronger thanks to
anti-bacterial products used in homes and
workplaces, scientists warned yesterday.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria are usually thought to be the
result of over use of antibiotics.
But a new study of dust found a high association between
anti-bacterial agents and bacteria which are resistant to
antibiotics.
The dust was studied in a university sports building which
included a pool, laundry, and offices.
It is thought that as bacteria become resistant to the use
of anti-bacterial agents, this in turn increases the ability of
bacteria to resist the drugs.
The authors of the paper in Environmental Science and
Technology argue that: "Unlike antibiotic drugs,
antimicrobials leave long-lasting residues and can
accumulate in the environment.
Triclosan, a commonly used antimicrobial, can promote
the development of resistance itself.'
They add that "a positive association was observed
between the concentration of antimicrobials and the
abundance of multiple antibiotic resistance genes".
Around 25 per cent of the bacteria found in the dust
originated from human skin, the authors of the study said.
As well as triclosan, the authors led by Erica Hartmann of
the university of Oregon listed other common anti-
bacterial chemicals including triclocarban, and methyl-,
ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben.
These parabens are commonly found in many cosmetics
and shampoos.

Triclosan is also found in some
toothpastes.
They found that dust samples with higher amounts of
triclosan also had higher levels of a gene that has been
implicated in bacterial resistance to multiple drugs.
They said that although the median concentration of
triclosan in indoor dust was small - much lower than
amounts used in toothpaste, for example - the
researchers say their findings demonstrate the need to
further investigate the role of antimicrobials in dust in the
rise of antibiotic resistance.
Some major manufacturers such as Unilever have chosen
to reduce the use of triclosan and tricarban in their
products.
Last week the US Food and Drug Administration banned
triclosan and triclocarban after it said there is "no
scientific evidence they are any better than plain soap and
water" at killing germs.

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