Study Suggests Antibacterial Products May Contribute to Antimicrobial Resistance

A new viewpoint study has examined the role of biocides in household products and their potential link to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Biocides are chemical or biological agents used to control harmful organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae.

These substances appear in products like antibacterial hand soaps, disinfecting wipes, spray cleaners, laundry sanitizers, textiles, and personal care items.

The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, analyzed existing research on biocides such as quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), also known as quats, and chloroxylenol. QACs serve as disinfectants, sanitizers, and preservatives, while chloroxylenol acts as an antiseptic and disinfectant on skin or surfaces.

The researchers concluded that exposure to these biocides can promote AMR, where bacteria develop resistance to the agents and potentially to clinical antibiotics.

bacteria gain resistance to biocides, they may also resist antibiotics used in medical settings, raising the risk of severe illness, disability, or death.

The study highlights risks to human and environmental health from widespread use of these products. It notes that actual health impacts could vary based on product concentrations and usage patterns. The research establishes an association between biocide use and AMR but does not prove causation, as it relies on a review of prior studies rather than new experiments.

Lead author Rebecca Fuoco, director of science communications at the Green Science Policy Institute and a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University, stated that the work synthesizes existing evidence without generating new data.

“Antibacterial soaps, wipes and sprays can make bacteria harder to kill, even with critical antibiotics, yet they offer no added benefit over plain soap and water for everyday home use.”

Fuoco added that further research is needed to compare household biocides to other AMR drivers, such as antibiotic overuse in hospitals and agriculture.

The authors suggest that the World Health Organization include targets to reduce consumer-product biocides in its next Global Action Plan on AMR. They also urge governments to limit antimicrobial ingredients in household items and to raise public awareness.

Fuoco recommended using plain soap and water for everyday handwashing and routine cleaning, reserving disinfectants like bleach for cases involving contagious illnesses in the household. Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst not involved in the study, noted that millions die annually from infections related to antibiotic use, which can disrupt beneficial bacteria and allow resistant strains to proliferate.

He pointed to benzalkonium chloride, a common antiseptic in such products, as linked to bacterial resistance. Siegel emphasized that plain soap and water remains effective for most cleaning needs.