Kills all known germs

We are bombarded on a daily basis with ways to protect ourselves and our loved ones from evil, deadly germs and bacteria. They are even depicted as nasty little monsters out to get us at every turn.

Of course, some of these bacteria can do a lot of harm and one of the most significant advancements in modern medicine was the discovery of the antibiotic, Penicillin, by Alexander Fleming in 1928.

Penicillin allowed diseases such as syphilis, gangrene and tuberculosis to be easily treated for the first time.
Unfortunately, this wonder drug has been over used which has led to mutations and antibiotic resistant bacteria. This leads to infections that cannot be treated by conventional means, the so called 'super bugs'. An example of which is MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).

Are we now repeating the mistake with antibacterial household products?

There is a lot of concern that we are doing just that. I recently read an interesting article by Stuart B. Levy in the journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases (Vol. 7, No. 3 Supplement, June 2001) which lays the fasts out very well.

You can read the article here.

Its worth considering next time your are picking up some kitchen cleaner in the supermarket.