We all know moms (perhaps you are one?) who are addicted to antibacterial products -- wipes, gels and sprays -- that they whip out at the slightest sign of dirt, boogers or public facilities. Well, bad news: a new study finds that they might spread, rather than kill, bacteria.

Researchers from Cardiff University in Wales used a variety of wipes to clean surfaces that had been severely contaminated with bacteria -- including the Methicillin-resistant type known as MRSA. The researchers found that natural antimicrobial wipes removed the most bacteria from surfaces but still didn't destroy them, while disinfectant wipes did the best job of destroying some...but not all...bacteria. However, both had some bacteria remaining on them and when they were reused, the wipes just transported the bacteria to another location.

Printed from the Modern Mom website: www.modernmom.com - on November 20, 2008
http://modernmom.com/2179/article/

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