Modern Hygiene: Are We Too Clean for Our Own Good?

by Lindsay Hutton

Society has come a long way in battling deadly diseases and plagues that once had the potential to devastate entire countries. However, with the emergence of better sanitation, antibiotics, and vaccinations, a new problem is arising. An increasing obsession with cleanliness and sterility may be having the opposite effect -- making children more susceptible to illnesses and allergies.

There are millions of bacteria, viruses, harmless parasites, and microbes that act as "exercise" to the immune system to help it learn how to fight off diseases and infections. A January 2009 article in the New York Times explored this topic and the instinctive behaviors babies exhibit when they eat dirt, suggesting this act has helped us evolve and survive as a species. Ingesting the parasites, bacteria, and worms found in dirt reportedly helps children develop appropriate immune regulatory circuits.

However, more and more children are now being raised in an ultra clean environment, and many scientists are supporting the notion of the "hygiene hypothesis." This is the idea that antibacterial agents commonly used in soaps and household cleaners are also killing off more than one-third of the good bacteria that are essential in bolstering immune systems.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), some scientists believe that this has caused the occurrence of asthma and allergies to increase noticeably in children over the past three decades. Nearly 5 million children under the age of 18 now suffer from this illness. Estimates from the NHLBI show this is a 75% increase overall since 1980, and a 74% increase in children between the ages of 5 and 14.

Asthma and allergies aren't the only concern regarding the hygiene hypothesis. Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), a journal by the United States' National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, found more than 76% of liquid soaps and 30% of bar soaps contain a substance called triclosan. Research has found this substance may be one of the causes of the emergence of superbugs. Superbugs are strains of bacteria that have evolved and morphed so much that they can no longer be killed off by microbial agents. EHP found there have been no scientific data published to support the claim that adding triclosan and other antimicrobial compounds to household products prevents infections. In fact, some studies show the opposite. Substances like triclosan actually kill off sensitive bacteria and leave more resilient bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus to morph and become resistant to microbial agents.

According to a recent article in Prevention magazine, not only is triclosan found in soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and other household products, it is also found in some children's plastic toys and even plastic utensils. Triclosan and other antibacterial agents have been used in hospitals, for food preparation in restaurants, and in homes for many years, but it is only recently that scientists have found how it acts on bacteria. While some scientists argue that these studies on triclosan are inaccurate because they have been done in controlled laboratory settings and are not consistent with everyday life, others validate the cause for concern because of the pervasiveness of this substance, particularly in antibacterial soaps. EHP believes that further surveillance of triclosan resistance is necessary.

Although living a filthy lifestyle is not recommended, there are some guidelines to follow regarding cleanliness and your health. EHP offers expert recommendations, such as using bleach, peroxide, and alcohol for cleaning.

Hand washing is still essential in helping to prevent the spread of contagious disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing your hands after using the bathroom, before eating, after human-animal contact, when handling food, and whenever they are visibly soiled. Traditional soap and water is ideal for hand washing. When no running water is available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective as well, although the CDC warns this may not be as effective if your hands are noticeably dirty.

Allowing your children to have dogs and cats can also expose them to intestinal worms that can "work out" their immune system. This may also make it less likely for your children to develop allergies and autoimmune diseases.