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On this page you will find updated information and proper perspective on the safe, beneficial and proper use of antibacterial personal care and household cleaning products. Check back here frequently for updates on research findings and news releases relating to antibacterial products. Updated Q & A on Antibacterial Products -- Germsmart.com Antibacterial Products and Antibiotic Resistance The Benefits of Antibacterial Products
Antibacterial Products and Antibiotic Resistance Various news reports often describe supposed threats that the use of antibacterial products can lead to the creation of antibiotic resistant “superbugs” in real life settings. The evidence, however, shows otherwise. -------- The Facts on Antibacterial Resistance -------- October 2005 Research published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases (October 2005) finds that the use of antibacterial cleaning products does not lead to a "significant increase in antimicrobial drug resistance after one year, nor did it have an effect on bacterial susceptibility to triclosan." You can find the research paper online at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no10/04-1276.htm. -------- October 2004 -------- May 2004 Researchers: Antibiotic Risk Overstated on Antibacterial Cleaning Products The risks of antibacterial resistance developing from the use of antibacterial cleaning products may well have been overstated and that health and hygiene are being compromised as a result. That's the conclusion of an article published in the May 2004 issue of Microbiology Today by University of Manchester (UK) researchers Peter Gilbert and Andrew McBain. "It is now imperative that confidence is restored in products that form an essential part of domestic and hospital hygiene," write the authors. "Hygiene should be emphasized and targeted towards those applications where there is demonstrable benefit (food preparation, care of the elderly and immune-deficient, wound care, infection control)." Professors' McBain and Gilbert also presented research at the 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) in New Orleans in May 2004. That research, according to an ASM news release, shows that "the risk of bacteria developing antibiotic resistance after exposure to the biocide triclosan may not be as great as previously believed." -------- April 2004 Research Shows No Association Between Triclosan Usage, Antibiotic Resistance A scientific review on the use of triclosan (a common ingredient in antibacterial soap) -- published in the April 2004 Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – stated that "comprehensive environmental surveys have not demonstrated any association between triclosan usage and antibiotic resistance." The paper, written by researcher Denver Russell of the Welsh School of Pharmacy at Cardiff University, can be viewed online at http://jac.oupjournals.org/cgi/reprint/dkh171v1.pdf. -------- December 2003 Study: 'No Convincing Evidence' on Triclosan, Antibiotic Resistance Link "While biocides may lead to antibiotic resistance in the laboratory, it does not necessarily equate to the development of such resistance in the natural or clinical environment." That's the conclusion of a scientific review performed by noted researcher Denver Russell in a piece published in the journal Lancet Infectious Disease (Vol. 3, December 2003). Dr. Russell also reports that "there is no convincing evidence that triclosan use has resulted in the clinical development of isoniazid-resistant M tuberculosis, antibiotic-resistant staphylococci, or antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria ." T he research was funded and reviewed by SDA and The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association. However, the views expressed in this paper are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect those of others. Link to abstract: -------- October 2003 A study in October 2003 Journal of Applied Microbiology “refutes widely publicized, yet unsupported, hypotheses that use of antibacterial products facilitates the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria from the home environment." Link: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jam/2003/00000095/00000004/art00003 -------- September 2003 Research from the September 2003 issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology reported that the “emergence of antibiotic resistance through triclosan in the kitchen is highly improbable.” Links Study abstract: http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/69/9/5433 September 2003 American Society of Microbiology news advisory: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-12/asfm-tft121103.php -------- August 2003 The use of topical antimicrobial wash products does not contribute to antimicrobial resistance, according to the latest comprehensive scientific literature provided to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The information was submitted by The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) and The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, which filed comments to the agency as it develops a Final Monograph (FM) for Over the Counter (OTC) Health-Care Antiseptic Drug Products. The SDA/CTFA coalition reminded FDA that in 1997, an independent review panel convened by the agency reported that resistance was not an issue under current conditions of topical antimicrobial product usage. The latest research shared with the agency reiterates that conclusion, said the Coalition. Link to formal comments on submitted to FDA, August 27, 2003: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/Sept03/090303/75n-0183h-c000084-01-vol167.pdf -------- March 2003 A paper presented at the March 2003 annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology summarized research examining triclosan and antibacterial resistance. The research, presented by the scientific consulting firm Cantox Health Science International, found that: "Based on the totality of the data, there is no compelling evidence suggesting that triclosan usage has contributed towards the development of resistance to triclosan or triclosan-antibiotic cross-resistance in the clinical setting or the home environment.” F urther, the paper states that "current levels of triclosan usage in cosmetic products are considered safe, and based on available data, not expected to select for antimicrobial resistant bacteria." -------- June/September 2002 In June 2002, a European Commission Scientific Steering Committee completed a comprehensive and thorough scientific review and analysis of data on antibiotic resistance regarding triclosan, the most commonly used antibacterial ingredient in consumer products. The panel reported that "There is no convincing evidence that triclosan poses a risk to humans or to the environment by inducing or transmitting antibacterial resistance under current conditions of use."
Report weblink: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/out269_en.pdf On September 17, 2002, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-food Products Intended for Consumers (SCCNFP) endorsed the Scientific Steering Committee’s findings and recommendations. Report weblink: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sccp/out182_en.pdf Benefits of Antimicrobial/Antibacterial Cleaning Products October 2005 Benefits of Topical OTC Antimicrobial Products -------- October 2005 Endorsements for Consumer Topical Antimicrobial Products -------- Study: Antimicrobials most effective in removing bacteria March 2005 A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control (March 2005) found antimicrobial soap ingredients to be the “most efficacious” in removing bacteria from hands. University of North Carolina Hospitals’ infection control experts also reported that washing with soap and water is the best way to remove viruses from one’s hands. Many news stories reporting on the research featured SDA’s advice for properly washing one’s hands. Additional links: University of North Carolina news release, March 10, 2005: “Study: soap and water work best in ridding hands of disease viruses” http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/mar05/rutala031005.html SDA Hand Hygiene website: http://www.cleaning101.com/HandHygiene/ SDA Antibacterial fact sheet: http://www.cleaning101.com/antibacterial/-------- A comprehensive review of scientific research and literature is overwhelmingly supportive of the benefits of topical antimicrobial products in interrupting infection in invasive situations, interrupting disease transmission to oneself and others in non-invasive situations, as well as reducing the numbers of bacteria on the surface of the skin. Much of this information has been transmitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by a coalition consisting of The Soap and Detergent Association and The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association. Part of the Coalition’s August 2001 submission to the FDA showcased benefits in home, institutional and clinical settings SDA-CTFA FDA petition-8.27.01-SECTION 2-benefits.pdf 2001 SDA-CTFA Submission-AppdxA.pdf Additional studies on product benefits were showcased in an August 2003 Coalition petition: SDA/CTFA comments, Food and Drug Administration, August 27, 2003: Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Health-Care Antiseptic Drug Products. New Data Shows Additional Benefits From healthcare professional products: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/Sept03/090303/75n-0183h-c000080-01-vol160.pdf August 21, 2007: Attack on Antibacterial Soaps? Nothing New to Report July 19 , 2007: Turn Off the False Alarm: Triclosan Used Safely, Effectively March 20 , 2007: SDA: Perspective Needed on Antibacterial Ingredient Study May 25 , 2006: Setting the Record Straight on Triclocarban Research. October 20, 2005: SDA/CTFA Executive Summary, FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee meeting, October 20, 2005, on the safety and efficacy of topical antimicrobial products. October 20, 2005: Associations Outline Important Role and Safety of Consumer Antibacterial Hygiene Products October 18, 2005: Associations Outline Important Role and Safety of Consumer Antibacterial Hygiene Products April 15, 2005: Triclosan-Containing Cleaning Products Have 30+ Year Track Record of Safety, Effectiveness; Virginia Tech Research Rebuffed December 22 , 2004: SDA Responds to Activist Group’s “False Alarm” on Key Antibacterial Ingredient March 5, 2004: SDA/CTFA Response to Antibacterial Products Research Published in Annals of Internal Medicine September 3, 2003: No Real World Evidence Tying Antimicrobial Products to Antibiotic Resistance, FDA Told May 23, 2003: Coalition Provides FDA With Additional Data in Support of Consumer Antibacterial Products January 17, 2003: SDA/CTFA Coalition Petitions FDA to Allow Anti-Viral Labeling on Qualifying OTC Products October 23, 2002: Proper Perspective Needed on Antibacterial Studies - Antibacterial Hand Soaps, When Properly Used, are Effective at Reducing the Risk of Infection July 27, 2000: Joint SDA/CTFA Statement: Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescriptions, Not Antibacterial Soaps Are Real Cause of Bacterial Resistance June 14, 2000: Discussion by American Medical Association a Boon to Bacteria, a Bust for Consumers -- CTFA/SDA Say Cleaning for Health -- antibacterial products for extra protection against germs Frequently Asked Questions About Bacterial Resistance and Antibacterial Products Germsmart.com: A website sponsored by The Soap and Detergent Association and The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association dedicated to answering consumer questions about antibacterial products. SDA/CTFA Presentation, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee meeting, October 20, 2005, Silver Spring, MD: Technical presentations and materials outlining the safety and benefits of topical antmicrobial consumer products |
