Antimicrobials have limited benefit in many applications and are associated with a wide variety of health harms.

What are they?

Antimicrobials are chemicals added to products in order to kill or inhibit the growth of microbes. They are also called antibacterials or biocides. Antimicrobials of concern include halogenated aromatic compounds, nanosilver, and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs or quats).

Where are they found?

Uses include cleaning and personal care products, clothing and other textiles, building materials, and high touch surfaces. They are also found in some food storage containers, kitchenware, school supplies, exercise mats, and electronics. Learn more about products that may contain antimicrobials.

What are the health concerns?

Antimicrobials may have adverse effects on beneficial microorganisms and other living things. For example, triclosan can disrupt hormone functioning and is associated with developmental and reproductive effects, and allergen sensitivity. Quats are associated with asthma, skin irritation, and adverse respiratory, nervous system, immunological, reproductive and developmental effects. Many antimicrobials are associated with antibiotic resistance.

How are we exposed?

Exposure can occur through inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion of contaminated dust. Babies, who are especially vulnerable to toxics, are exposed in the womb from maternal exposure and later through nursing. Triclosan has been found in three-quarters of the U.S. population and in nearly all breast milk samples tested. Recent research has identified over a dozen quats in human blood.

What are the environmental concerns?

The current high-volume use of antimicrobials is causing widespread contamination of the environment and wildlife. When products containing antimicrobials are washed down the drain the chemicals can be released to aquatic environments. Once in the environment, most are toxic to aquatic organisms and some bioaccumulate in marine food webs. Further, many antimicrobials persist in sludge from wastewater treatment that may later be applied to agricultural soil.

Should they be used?

The perceived health benefits of antimicrobials in most consumer products are not supported by research. In fact, overuse of antimicrobials may contribute to increased microbial resistance to antibiotics or disinfectants. Washing hands with soap and water is as effective at preventing the spread of germs.

In September 2016, the FDA stopped the use of triclosan, triclocarban and many other antimicrobials in hand soaps and body washes. However, the substitutes were other antimicrobials of concern such as quats, whose use is increasing.

Both the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourage large scale spraying with disinfectants due to lack of benefit and the potential for harm.

What Can You Do?

  • Avoid products that are advertised as “antimicrobial”, “antibacterial”, “antiviral” or “anti-odor”. Most alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not contain antimicrobials of concern and should be safer.

  • Avoid products with triclosan, triclocarban, quats (often ending with –onium chloride) or nanometals listed on the ingredient label.

  • Select products with the safest ingredients and use them only when necessary.

  • Tell manufacturers, retailers, and government agencies you want products without antimicrobials.

Resources

  • Joint Statement on Antimicrobials in Building Products – This statement by leading green building organizations, architects, and scientists, responding to COVID-19 generated demand for antimicrobials, warns that building materials with added antimicrobials have no proven health benefit—and may be harmful.
  • Antimicrobials in Consumer Products & Building Materials – The Green Science Policy Institute recommends avoiding the use of chlorinated antimicrobials, quaternary ammonium compounds, and nanometals due to their potential for harm and, in many cases, lack of proven benefit.
  • Safe, effective cleaning & disinfection for businesses – San Francisco Environment provides helpful tips for cleaning and disinfection. It also offers a web tool for identifying safest COVID-19 disinfectants.
  • Disinfectant Overkill Focus on QuatsWomen’s Voices for the Earth provides health and policy information about ammonium quaternary compounds, commonly found in household cleaning products.
  • Triclosan – Biomonitoring California recommends avoiding personal care products that list triclosan on the label, unless there is a medical reason for using them.


Antimicrobials in the Time of Coronavirus:
Ted Schettler, Science & Environmental Health Network


The Florence Statement on Triclosan and Triclocarban


Introduction to Antimicrobials:
Gary Ginsburg, Connecticut Dept. of Public Health


Quaternary Ammonium Compounds:
Anne Cooper-Doherty, DTSC Safer Consumer Products Program