Bombarded with clever marketing campaigns about our health,warning us about exposure to harmful bacteria and extolling the virtues of anti-bacterial soaps and cleaners, it’s no wonder that we have become a germ-phobic society obsessed with “clean.”  But when is being too clean a bad thing?HEALTH

We have heard of the warning of over prescribing antibiotics, the result of which has lead to strains of Staphylococcus Aureus and other evolved forms of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.  The same resistance principles apply to over-use of antibacterial agents that provide fertile training opportunities for super-resistant bacteria to evolve.  So, why are manufacturers still using them freely in hand and body soaps?

While it may seem counter-intuitive, minimal exposure to bacteria is actually healthy, and without such exposure, our immune systems cannot develop the antibodies necessary to ward off disease. According to information available on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, excessive hygiene may actually interfere with the normal maturation of the immune system. Furthermore, the increased use of antibacterial agents is enabling certain strains of bacteria to resist these chemicals altogether.  In addition to increased bacterial resistance, the CDC reports that the antibacterial craze has other potential consequences, including the increasing incidence of allergies. The combined data has led researchers to conclude that an “antigen-rich (dirty) environment may be essential” for keeping resistant bacteria in check and developing immunity against disease.

Since 2000, the World Health Organization, The American Medical Associationand the CDC have warned us to avoid use of anti-bacterial soaps and household cleaners because harmful bacteria we aim to destroy are becoming more and more resistant to such anti-bacterial compounds.  Despite these warnings, the number of household products containing anti-bacterial chemicals has increased from a few dozen in the 1990’s to more than 700 today.

Antibacterial cleaning products are exposing us not only to dangerous chemicals, but also to increasingly resistant strains of super-bacteria, some of which may also be resistant to antibiotics we prescribe to fight infection.  Unfortunately, manufacturers are over-using anti-bacterial compounds in hand soaps, detergents and household cleaners.
Environmental contamination is another adverse consequence of overusing household disinfectants. Inevitably, antibacterial chemicals we would not want to ingest wind up contaminating our groundwater, air and oceans when we use them to wash our hands or clean our homes, creating a host of other environmental problems. Furthermore, chlorinated and antibacterial products kill the beneficial bacteria necessary to keep our septic systems working properly.

You don’t need antibacterial soaps to stay healthy. Washing your hands in hot water with a bar of soap or a pure liquid castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s, and scrubbing for 20 to 30 seconds eliminates bacteria effectively without exposing us to dangerous chemicals or counterproductive anti-bacterial substances.

The same can be said for household surfaces. With a goal of keeping you clean and the environment green, many companies such as Seventh Generation, Ecover, and Restore offer a variety of products with natural germ-fighting properties. These products are becoming more readily available as demand increases.

So go ahead, get a little dirty!  Then wash your hands in warm soapy water.  Your immune system will thank you for it later.

AZGreen Magazine contributor, Dr. Deborah Ardolf is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based naturopathic doctor, who has researched the deleterious effects of anti-bacterial soaps and cleaning products.

CLICK HERE and read the article in AZGreen Magazine’s carbon neutral publication!HEALTH