Bacterial Resistance to Disinfectants
There has been a lot of controversy in the last few years concerning the potential for bacterial mutation with the growing use of antimicrobials such as antibacterial wipes, and disinfectant wipes. The fear is that as we continue to utilize the various methods of combating bacterial strains that we have at our disposal, the bugs will eventually develop a resistance and the infection rates may actually become worse. This is a legitimate public concern and not one that should be taken lightly.
Much of the confusion can be put to rest by understanding the various means used to control bacteria and how they differ. Antibiotics, for example, are ingested into the human body. The concentration must be limited so that they do not harm the person taking them. They work by attacking a specific cellular target. The problem arises because although the antibiotic causes those bacteria to become disabled, they develop a “work-around” as response; they adapt and become resistant to repeated attacks. Penicillin resistance was detected less than a decade after it had been developed in 1945. Antibiotic use can be compared to using a key to open a door so you can put out a fire. You have accomplished your purpose – to get through and extinguish the fire, but have not destroyed the door in the process. In fact, the key may not work the next time because this lock is smart enough to rearrange its tumblers.
Alternatively, disinfecting wipes and antibacterial wipes act like a bomb; they open the door, put out the fire and insure there will not be another one. Destruction is complete; there is no chance of adaptation. Of course, many of these substances are toxic to the human body when ingested. While a good, healthy guzzle of chlorine bleach or isopropyl alcohol would no doubt eliminate the bacterial infection, it would also eliminate the person who took it.
Conversely, if wet wipes utilize such a weak concentration of the antibacterial substance, it is possible that the wipes would only kill most of the bacteria and not all of them. The remaining ones would be the strongest and would produce super offspring requiring greater concentrations of disinfectant. This is a classic example of Darwinian evolution in action; only those bacteria that are the most fit will live on to produce fit offspring. They will be even harder to eliminate the next time.
The best types of sanitizing hand wipes and disinfectant wipes then, would be ones that kill all the bacteria and even some viruses without harming the user. They wouldn’t cause skin to become irritated, eyes to water, and would even have a pleasing smell. The best solution would be a product that uses water-based compounds, such as synthetic phenols that do not possess the toxicity of chlorine bleach or alcohol-based products. They would be strong enough to kill 99% of all germs including bacteria and staph such as e-coli, MRSA, and salmonella; and viruses such as polio, herpes and influenza. While the perfect disinfectant may never exist, these types are the best ones available today.
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Category: Family Concerns
Keywords: disinfecting wipes,Antibacterial Wipes