Whatever happened to hot water and regular soap?
A recentstudy by the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health has determined that our advertising & media driven frenzy for cleanliness & sanitization may really be harming us and if it is harming us, there surely has to be a trickle down effect on the animals we are stewards of…..
Among other things, the U of M investigators studied is Triclosan, the primary ingredient in many antibacterial and antifungal products and is a chemical compound used in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, pens, diaper bags and medical devices, along with Bisphenol A, found in a lot of consumer plastics, as well as a protective lining in food cans.
Also, all of our mopping, sweeping, air freshening, and spray cleaning could actually increase your risk of allergies and asthma. Research has shown young children who aren’t exposed to allergens and germs in their early years face a higher risk of developing asthma and allergies later in life. One study of Amish children who live and work on farms, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, suggested that early-life exposure to allergens may prevent the immune system from developing allergies. It’s not the first to make such a connection.
Dr. James M. Steckelberg of the Mayo Clinic has written that “research has shown that triclosan:
·Alters hormone regulation in animals
·Might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs
·Might be harmful to the immune system…”
So, are we sanitizing out the ability of our companion animals’ to withstand and/or ward off viruses & diseases?
