Naturally Antimicrobial Surfaces: What You Need to Know

What Are the Dangers of Bleach and Other Disinfecting Products?

Bleach is one of the most commonly used household cleaning agents. Indeed, many homeowners associate the smell of bleach with a clean, hygienic home, especially during the winter flu season. Though bleach can quickly kill and eliminate 99.9% of all bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, it also kills every other microorganism that it comes into contact with.

Most of us have been taught, unfortunately, to believe that bacteria and other microorganisms are harmful. Though some organisms are certainly pathogenic, there is an enormous body of scientific research looking at the importance of the microbiota in our guts and in the places we live. Using large amounts of bleach and other strong disinfectants virtually eliminates the healthy bacteria that promote holistic health. One study even found that there might be a connection between the generous use of household chemical disinfectants and childhood obesity rates.

The use of bleach in the home can also negatively affect indoor air quality. This is especially true if bleach products come into contact with ammonia, a common ingredient in other cleaning products. For this reason, you should never mix bleach with any other type of cleaner. Because the smell of bleach is considered unpleasant by some people, many companies combine bleach with a citrus compound known as limonene. This common volatile organic compound (VOC) has been shown to oxidize in the air and lead to skin allergies.

In the broader environment, bleach can break down into dioxins, furans, and PCDDs, all of which are known as "persistent organic pollutants." These are chemical pollutants that linger in ecosystems for long periods -causing damage to both flora and fauna. Dioxins from bleach have also been linked to cancer, endocrine disorders, and other serious health effects.

What are the Dangers of Conventional Antibacterial Products?

Another common danger associated with many household cleaners is the widespread use of antibiotic agents in cleaning products. These antibacterial products certainly can help to kill bacteria. However, they do so indiscriminately, killing both good and bad bacteria in the home. 

Growth of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

There is a growing consensus in the scientific and medical communities that the overuse of antibacterial cleaning products may be contributing to the development of super-resistant strains of bacteria (sometimes called 'superbugs'). Multi-resistant organisms (MROs) are the name given to certain types of bacteria resistant to different types of common antibiotics.

Unfortunately, many companies that market antibacterial cleaning products rely on misleading marketing campaigns that prey on people's fears of bacteria. Somewhat ironically, the suggestion that bacteria in the home are dangerous and that we should use antibacterial products to eliminate them might be impacting our immune systems and therefore putting us at risk of another pandemic.

Pharmaceutical giant Merck stated the following. "There is an even larger threat lurking behind the current outbreak, one that is already killing hundreds of thousands of people around the world and that will complicate the care of many COVID-19 patients. It is the hidden threat from antibiotic resistance — bacteria that are not killed by standard antibiotics."

Health and Environmental Risks

Suppose a product is labeled as antibacterial, antiseptic, or antimicrobial. In that case, it most likely contains triclosan or other chemical antibiotic agents that are best avoided as part of a healthy home.

Similarly, products that are labeled as including "Microban" will also contain levels of potent antibacterial agents. Besides contributing to super-resistant bacteria, this agent has also been shown to pass through wastewater treatment plants and negatively affect the algae makeup of water bodies.

So the question remains: What is the difference between naturally antimicrobial surfaces and products (or surfaces) containing chemical antibacterial ingredients?

What Are Antimicrobial Surfaces?

Antimicrobial surfaces are usually defined as the "impregnation of materials with biocides that are released into the surroundings at which point microbes are killed." In hospital settings, antimicrobial surfaces have been in use for several decades as a strategy to sterilize medical devices to prevent hospital-associated infections. A robust chemical biocide coating is often used to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms in these healthcare settings. Recently, however, researchers have been looking at the possibility of creating naturally antimicrobial surfaces through changing their micro and nanostructure.

What Are Naturally Antimicrobial Surfaces?

Certain elements naturally offer certain levels of antimicrobial properties. To name just one example, copper is a naturally antimicrobial surface, and innovations are moving forward that incorporate this common metal into different products and surfaces. In household and office settings, naturally, antimicrobial coatings have been applied to counters, walls, door handles, other high-touch areas, HVAC vents, and other HVAC equipment, among other surfaces. These healthier household options focus on using natural materials and elements to reduce dependence on potent antibiotic treatments.

What Products Incorporate Naturally Antimicrobial Surfaces?

So what types of materials offer natural antimicrobial protection for our homes - without incorporating strong antibacterial elements that can contribute to the rise of superbugs?

• Copper, Brass, and Bronze (copper alloys)
• Quartz
• Siver
• Cork

Below, we look at these leading options available to homeowners.

How to Avoid False Advertising of Antimicrobial Surfaces

Despite the advances in developing new types of naturally antimicrobial surfaces, many companies make false or misleading product claims. The growing consumer demand for healthier alternatives to strong chemical disinfectants has created a market opportunity that many companies are looking to exploit. For example, one recent study found that wooden cutting boards did offer some level of antimicrobial prevention. However, claiming that all wood surfaces offer significant naturally antimicrobial properties would certainly be a stretch.

Again, it is worth stating that there is a significant, fundamental difference between "naturally antimicrobial surfaces" and "antibacterial" surfaces. When searching for natural antimicrobial surfaces, look for products that contain quartz, copper (and its alloys), silver, cork, and other similar products.