Antimicrobials

Common antimicrobials, including but not limited to quaternary ammonium compounds, Triclosan, and Triclocarban have been linked to a variety of health impacts: ^{1 2} 

• respiratory system damage
• skin irritation
• allergy susceptibility
• growth of drug-resistant bacteria or “superbugs”
• hormone disruption
• destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems
• cancer
• endocrine disruption

Since the onset of the pandemic, an increase in anti-microbial products and manufacturers are making claims to health benefits.  ³

WHAT’S THE CONCERN:

• Lack of Proven Positive Human Health Impact: There is little evidence that antimicrobials results in reduced infections and disease.³
• Known Adverse Health Impacts: Antimicrobials are designed to kill or inhibit the growth of microbes. The features that make the effective also harm human health and the environment.³
• Antimicrobial Resistance: Microbes are becoming resistant to commonly used antimicrobials, and that exposure to these commonly used antimicrobials can also produce resistance to the antibiotics we depend on to fight disease.^{3 4}