It starts with a single case that makes headlines in the news. An unknown superbug virus with alarming symptoms breaks out not in some small village in India or Africa, but in a small American town in Kansas. Many citizens of first world countries may be especially alarmed at this news because most breakouts occur in third world countries where people are assumed dirty and malnourished. Additionally, developed countries practice good hygiene and use antibacterial products so that should be enough to keep the virus away right? Wrong. In actuality, this practice may lead to a worse case altogether as such products can be the cause of outbreaks, much less the remedy. Soap infused with supposedly bacteria killing agents have only arisen in consumption in the last fifty to one hundred years at most. Statistics now show that such products take up around 70% of the shelf space in stores.1 Despite this drastic increase in antibacterial soap products on the market today and contrary to common belief, studies have yet to show that such products significantly decrease bacteria concentrations any more than regular soap. Instead, research suggests that ingredients in antibacterial products lead to problems such as viral and bacterial resistance and hormonal problems.
Antibacterial products range from anything like hand soaps and lotions to sanitizers and household cleaners. It is important to look at the etymology of the word antibacterial. As a prefix, anti means against, so the word literally means “against bacteria”, or “against germs” as marketers of such products want consumers to believe. The truth in this descriptive word will be reviewed later. The ingredients used in these products fall into two categories, non-residue producing ...
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...ated danger due to the use of such products. The data supportive of antibacterial products’ beneficial effects is very weak, especially when compared to products without biocides. So while the data may not be good enough for a scientific conclusion, it is clear enough to draw the conclusion that the benefits do not outweigh the costs. Biocides such as triclosan need to be more closely monitored and controlled by the FDA, if not banned altogether. Even though they may be harmless at low concentrations, the long-term and abundant use without limit poses a risk that could harm people and nature alike on a global scale. Plain soaps and other products made of all natural ingredients accomplish the same objective as antibacterial products without the many adverse effects. Consumers should know the facts and use these products as has been safely done for generations.
The natural components of antibiotics have been used as local remedies long before humans understood the reasons why these sometimes-radical treatments worked. Penicillin became the first manufactured antibiotic after physician Alexander Fleming published articles regarding this bacteria-disabling mold in 1928. Come 1932, penicillin was commonly used to treat infected war injuries, saving the lives of unnumbered soldiers (Lewis). Since then, penicillin has b...
The herbicide warfare used during the Vietnam War? Well, crazy fact triclosan and agent orange are compound cousins. Triclosan another harmful ingredient is a known pesticide, however, is considered an antibacterial in toothpaste. The FDA banned the antibacterial chemical from soaps. Again, it’s allowed in toothpaste. That top-selling toothpaste brand, Colgate Total claims the benefits (fights plaque and gingivitis) outweighs any risk present from the ingestion of triclosan. The world is so weird, isn’t it? Triclosan is a major component of the problem antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is when the bodies antibiotics have lost their ability to control or kill bacteria growth. In simple form, the bacteria resist the antibiotics and continue to multiply. The dangers of triclosan over the years have shown evidence of its negative effects on humans. Hormonal problems, allergies, and even cancer. Studies have shown that triclosan alters testosterone and thyroid serum levels, estrogen adapters and synthesis. Triclosan stores itself in Breast milk and blood which could lead to long-term effects that could potentially be passed along, affecting immune system health, fertility and
Nestle, Marion. Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2003.
Germaphobes beware: the next incurable global epidemic is already here and, to make matters worse, you may unknowingly come in daily contact with it. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA, is the villain of Maryn McKenna’s book, a terrifying tale of the negative consequences of modern medicine. It’s the kind of book that keeps you awake at night, itching to read the next chapter- and worried you could become infected. Through vivid case studies and scary scientific evidence about what appears to be an unbeatable pathogen, McKenna’s book, Superbug, is one that will make you afraid to step foot in a hospital ever again.
First, hand sanitizer is made up of key ingredients. There is an active ingredient, which is the ingredient that kills the germs. This is usually alcohol, but can be many other things like ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or a combination of both. “Benzalkonium chloride is another FDA-approved active ingredient in some hand sanitizers. Although it is not an alcohol, benzalkonium chloride also works to kill bacteria and some viruses on the hands” (Jackie). Also, there are humectants added. Humectants are added to hand sanitizer to moisturize the skin. Glycerin and propylene glycol are humectants. They are commonly used in hand sanitizer. From the humicants holding water, they help prevent your skin from drying with frequent use of hand sanitizer because the active ingredients can dry out your skin. There are more ways of hand sanitizer moisturizing your skin. For example, “Isopropyl myristate is an emollient, which is a chemical that seals the skin surface and makes it smoother. It is made from a substance naturally found in nutmeg, coconut oil and some animal fats. Many hand contain isopropyl myristate and moisturizers, such as aloe vera and tocopherol acetate, or synthetic vitamin E” (Jackie). Carbomer and amniomethyl propanol are common ingredients used as binding agents. Emulsifiers keep other ingredients f...
Scoffield, H. (2011, October 03). Ottawa to review safety of key ingredient in anti-bacterial soaps. The
The mention of the latest salmonella outbreak is often enough to make anyone’s stomach turn—people in the US and other countries have long maintained a strong aversion to, and even anxiety towards, the very idea of salmonella entering the food supply. It is this fear that drives the government and the agricultural industry, which are also prey to the overwhelming dread of the salmonella contamination, to take extreme measures to prevent the slightest risk of salmonella contamination and that continually puts the public on edge—but despite this widespread apprehension, much of the public remains ignorant of what salmonella really is. For many, it is but an ominous nam...
A self-sterilizing formula is one that either prevents microbial growth (bacteriostatic) or kills-microorganisms (bactericidal /microbicidal).a self –preserving formula may or may not contain antimicrobial preservatives. Relatively anhydrous products (e.g. talcum powder, corn starch, mineral oil, and stick deodorants) do not require preservatives because they do not have sufficient water content to supply microbial growth. However, manufactures may incorporate preservatives in to these products to prevent microbial growth that may occur due to addition of water by consumer during use or abuse. The physicochemical make-up of the product, including low water activity (aw), high or low pH, and multifunctional materials that have antimicrobial properties (e.g. alcohol, surfactants, quaternary ammonium companies) determines whether a formula is self-preserving. Aqueous products in multiuse containers generally require the addition of preservation if they do not prevent microbial growth. The type of packaging and consumer use habits determines the preservation requirements of a
Clorox and Lysol are the most commonly used disinfectants in the country. Disinfectants are used to kill bacteria which are microorganisms that grow rapidly and that can be found everywhere. Bacteria cannot be seen with the naked eyes but they are present, on your phone, desk, computer, even in the air, and they can also lead to diseases such as cholera. Some people prefer Clorox over Lysol to clean with. These two disinfectants had been tested to find out which one is the most effective at killing bacteria. Clorox is often said to be the best due to containing an active ingredient known as sodium hypochlorite which contains antibacterial activity. To test this hypothesis, a table was sprayed in three different sections, one with Clorox, one
The law bans microbeads from “rinse-off-cosmetics”, which include toothpaste and health care products. However, there are exemptions for products such as prescription medication, for which synthetic microbeads are essential ingredients. There should be no exemptions and ban complete use of the microbead in products.
Compounding all of these solutions, the pharmaceutical industry needs to conduct extensive research on developing new antibiotics for various pathogenic bacteria by studying the bacterial structure. This will help scientists to formulate ways of counteracting the functions of the various constituents of bacteria.
our everyday lives bacteria is constantly surrounding us, some of the bacterium that we encounter are beneficial to us but then there are the ones that are severely detrimental to our health. The way that they effect a persons body can differ from person to person. Many of the “microscopic foes” are very resilient and have a very fast reproduction rate. Not only do they reproduce quickly they sometimes seem to outsmart our immune system and not allow our bodies to fight the infection making it almost impossible to stop them. One thing that a lot if people rely on is the assistance of prescription drugs to get them better but even the drugs are not being effective and we can’t stop the pathogens from invading our personal places such as work, home, school, or anywhere. Even though modern medicine is advancing the pathogens could still get the get the best of us. The scary thing is we never know when the next pandemic or epidemic is going to arise. All it needs is some ordinary microbe to swap genes with a deadly germ to produce a “super pathogen” and it could happen to anyone, anywhere, as it did to Jeannie Brown who is from “our neck of the woods”.
...earch in this area. Plus, we also need to become better consumers for our own personal antibiotic use because bacterial infections can also derive from misuse and overuse of an antibiotic drug. We must prevent the spread of bacteria by washing our hands, fruits, and vegetables. Even raw eggs and undercooked meat are suspects in creating bacterial infections. Furthermore, to be properly vaccinated is a major fight against such infections. So “although humans are not yet close to winning the war against S. aureus, these measures may help provide the weapons we need to have a fighting chance” (Freeman-Cook and Freeman-Cook 2006). Perhaps, one day in the near future the fight against bacterial infections will be resolved and there will no longer be a need for posing the hypothesis of “Why Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is antibiotic-resistant.”
The discovery of antibiotics is attributed to Alexander Fleming who discovered the first antibiotic to be commercially used (Penicillin) in approximately 1928. An antibiotic, also known as an antimicrobial, is a medication that is taken in order to either destroy or slow the growth rate of bacteria. Antibiotics are integral to the success of many medical practises, such as; surgical procedures, organ transplants, the treatment of cancer and the treatment of the critically ill. (Ramanan Laxminarayan, 2013)
“Various household cleaning products have been developed to facilitate the removal of dust and dirt, maintenance and disinfection” (http://www.thisland.illinois.edu/57ways/57ways_22.html)