Antibacterial soaps cause concern

Professional-use liquid antibacterial handwashing soaps have been available for over 50 years. Their use has increased in response to public concerns over the spread of infectious diseases and the need for greater vigilance in hygienically sensitive environments, such as the food industry where raw and uncooked foods are being handled and processed.

This has led to greater emphasis on germ-kill performance and the introduction of stronger antimicrobial agents. With this change, more has been learned about the impact that these antimicrobial agents, when used in antibacterial soaps, have on hand hygiene, human health and the environment.

The concerns about all existing antibacterial agents used in handwash products can be summarised as follows:

• Environmental toxicity - all existing antimicrobial agents used in handwash products are characterised by having residual environmental toxicity that can be harmful to the environment and aquatic life.
• Human toxicity - many antimicrobial agents are known irritants and sensitisers; their frequent use can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions and suboptimal hand hygiene compliance.
• Antimicrobial resistance - the mode of activity, residual toxicity and wide use of some antimicrobial agents has led to concerns of microorganisms building up resistance against them.

After more than eight years of R&D, Deb has released OxyBac, a rich-cream foam antibacterial handwash that combines foam technology with accelerated hydrogen peroxide antimicrobial agent.

Available now in Australia, the handwash is claimed to be effective at killing a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi and many viruses that can be spread by hands and cause common illness.

Additionally, it provides good physical cleaning properties to remove both visible food contamination and invisible microorganisms. Non toxic and non irritating to skin, and it is claimed that it does not induce microbial resistance.

Finally, unlike all other antimicrobial actives, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) does not leave any toxic residual environmental contamination after use as it simply breaks down into oxygen and water.