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Did you know that there are tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals in commercial distribution within the United States? Some of these chemicals are used in household cleaning products as either cleaning agents or as antimicrobials (used as disinfectants). Many consumers are becoming more aware of the dangers of chemicals in household products - dangers within the home and to our environment. Here, we have highlighted some of the key issues along with the associated News coverage (Antimicrobial Resistance, Chemical Sensitivity, etc.), and we will continue to update this information. Also check out "eco-bytes" (at left) for up-to-date environmental news provided by the Environmental News Network (ENN).
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Antimicrobial Resistance: With the recent proliferation of antimicrobial (antibacterial) cleaning products used to clean hard surfaces within the home, there is rising concern that these antimicrobial agents may be creating tougher, chemically resistant bacteria. Scientists have found that repeatedly exposing bacteria to household cleaning agents leads to the rise of new variants that are resistant to common antibiotics. The June 2000 Draft Public Health Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance states, "Unless AR (Antimicrobial Resistance) problems are detected as they emerge - and actions are taken quickly to contain them - the world may soon be faced with previously treatable diseases which have again become untreatable, as in the pre-antibiotic era." The action plan was created by a Task Force that includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and others. You can download the entire plan from the CDC web site by clicking here.
This is a real problem that has been surfacing in the news. You don't need to take our word for it, check out the following links to prominent media sources:
Discover Magazine, November 1998
"Last Days of the Wonder Drugs"
"Years of overconfidence have made us vulnerable. Now, in the deadly arms race between people and bacteria, the bugs are winning."
U.S.News & World Report, May 1999 (5/10/99 Issue)
"Cleaning up"
"Battling bugs in the home"
abcNEWS.COM, July 2000
"How Clean Is Too Clean?"
"Researchers Say Antibacterial Cleansers Hurt Immune Systems"
abcNEWS.COM, September 2000
"Clean Freaks?"
"Researchers Found Nearly Half of Soaps Contain Germicides"
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