Have we become obsessed with antibacterial soaps/cleaners/wipes, etc?

Mint Sauce · 29-07-2010 05:20PM #1

Just seen an advert for an automatic antibacterial soap dispenser, using the arguement that the traditional hand operated one is home to hundreds of bacteria on the pump.

i dont get it my self, surly if you are using an anti bacterial soap, you are going to wash off the germs passed from the pump to your hand.

plus adverts for carrying gels and wipes when on the move just in case you come in contact with a hand rail just before eating your sandwich or your bag of crisps

bloody hell, when i was a kid the only times you even washed your hands if there was visable dirt on them, and my friends and i survived childhood unscathed, and possibly alot heathier than the kids today lowering their immunity by using all this stuff, alot of the time unnesesarly.

its all just one big marketing ploy.

My name is URL · 29-07-2010 05:22PM

FUD!

dr.bollocko · 29-07-2010 05:25PM

I'm a fan of cultivating dangerous superbugs in a home made lab and hope to see the hobby spread worldwide soon. That's why I endorse numerous antibacterial products for home and office use.

Lex_Diamonds · 29-07-2010 05:27PM

Has definintely gotten out of hand. It'll come right back and bite us in the ass too. Soon travelling outside your county will leave you sick as a dog due to not being use to their bugs. "I went to Cavan and got the scuts" etc.

kylith · 29-07-2010 05:28PM

irish-stew wrote: »

Just seen an advert for an automatic antibacterial soap dispenser, using the arguement that the traditional hand operated one is home to hundreds of bacteria on the pump.

I laughed myself stupid at that ad, sure you're washing your hands after pumping the soap. I thought it especially funny since you'll be covering the tap in germs when you turn it on, then washing your hands so they're nice an clean for all the germs you pick up when you turn the tap off again.

Pace2008 · 29-07-2010 05:29PM

Those Dettol ads are just vile, preying on irrational parents' fears, making out as if your whole house is a cesspit and infection lurks around every corner and in every crevice. The hack of that one chasing her kids around the gaff, sterilising every object they make contact with - I'd say they'd die of a cold.

I was never adverse to a bit of dirt when I was a kid, and have the immune system of a t-rex as a result.

Mike 1972 · 29-07-2010 05:30PM

When the bacteria develop resistance to these agents is when the real fun will start :eek:

On the one hand they keep increasing (to ludicrous proportions) the number of drugs which can only be obtained on prescription while on the other hand antibacterial agents and even some antibiotics are widely dispensed when they should never be used outside of hospitals/laboratories

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 29-07-2010 05:38PM

irish-stew wrote: »

Just seen an advert for an automatic antibacterial soap dispenser, using the arguement that the traditional hand operated one is home to hundreds of bacteria on the pump.

i dont get it my self, surly if you are using an anti bacterial soap, you are going to wash off the germs passed from the pump to your hand.

plus adverts for carrying gels and wipes when on the move just in case you come in contact with a hand rail just before eating your sandwich or your bag of crisps

bloody hell, when i was a kid the only times you even washed your hands if there was visable dirt on them, and my friends and i survived childhood unscathed, and possibly alot heathier than the kids today lowering their immunity by using all this stuff, alot of the time unnesesarly.

its all just one big marketing ploy.

... as is bottled water.

Seriously. We managed fine before. What's happened to change things?

brummytom · 29-07-2010 05:41PM

Don't young children need exposure to germs to develop a good immune system?

So isn't encouraging parents to try and completely rid their house of any germs just ridiculous?

It can't be good for the children?

epgc3fyqirnbsx · 29-07-2010 05:46PM

If you look at a baby you see that they constantly pick things up and put it in their mouth. This introduces them to various germs and strengthens their immune system. If you over steralise their enviroment you a rearing them to be a weakling.
It has gone waaaaaay to far.
And the 5 second rule should extend to 5 minutes if you're hard

K-9 · 29-07-2010 05:48PM

brummytom wrote: »

Don't young children need exposure to germs to develop a good immune system?

So isn't encouraging parents to try and completely rid their house of any germs just ridiculous? It can't be good for the children?

This.

One or two household cleaning products is enough, same with soaps.

Money making schemes for pharmaceutical and advertising companies is all it is.

Kim and Aggy rock. Use Coca Cola to remove burn marks from sauce pans!

My name is URL · 29-07-2010 05:49PM

It's a wonder that there isn't stricter rules on what the companies can include in their advertising, though then people would complain of nannyism.. FACT!

W.Shakes-Beer · 29-07-2010 05:50PM

I wash my hands mainly if they look of feel dirty. If they're grand I dont bother.

I havent had a cold since last autumn and I know of people who are fanatical about the whole "you'll infect your sambo with AIDS!!!" thing and they always seem to be ill.

kylith · 29-07-2010 05:55PM

Pace2008 wrote: »

Those Dettol ads are just vile, preying on irrational parents' fears, making out as if your whole house is a cesspit and infection lurks around every corner and in every crevice. The hack of that one chasing her kids around the gaff, sterilising every object they make contact with - I'd say they'd die of a cold.

"Your chopping board has more bacteria than your toilet..." Well, neither's killed me yet, so feck off Dettol.

My favourite one is "Bacteria can live in lava... think about the bacteria in your home". Newsflash: the bacteria in your home cannot live in lava. Don't be thick, people.*

*that's a general 'people', not a specific 'people' that's being thick.

W.Shakes-Beer · 29-07-2010 05:58PM

The pelican has no agenda.

starbelgrade · 29-07-2010 06:03PM

Lex_Diamonds wrote: »

Soon travelling outside your county will leave you sick as a dog due to not being use to their bugs. "I went to Cavan and got the scuts" etc.

There's an extra charge in Cavan if you get the scuts.

Tar.Aldarion · 29-07-2010 06:05PM

W.Shakes-Beer wrote: »

The pelican has no agenda.

Tonight we attack.

areu4real? · 29-07-2010 06:05PM

[deep ominous voice]
"Some germs can even survive in lava!!"

That is a quote from some scary germ ad. Other ads show ugly little monsters eating flesh and food. People who are afraid tend to spend money to protect themselves. We're not cavemen anymore but our bodies still have the ability to build a super immune system.An odd germ here and there helps us so yea, basically a big marketing ploy.

Dilynnio · 29-07-2010 06:06PM

I became obsessed with that hand stuff for ages and then I decided **** that I haven't ever needed it before now and I never picked up anything and neither did our great grand fathers before us...............advertising gets yah sometimes!:D

brummytom · 29-07-2010 06:07PM

"There are more germs on your chopping board than on your toilet seat."

Well, seeing as I use a chopping board and I'm not dead yet, it obviously doesn't matter, does it?

Mike 1972 · 29-07-2010 06:13PM

brummytom wrote: »

"There are more germs on your chopping board than on your toilet seat."

Most people try not to $h1t on their toilet seat ?

At least when theyre sober

KungPao · 29-07-2010 06:18PM

Tis getting ridiculous alright.

I always wash my hands after going to the jacks, and take care with surfaces and utensils after touching raw chicken and all, I think thats common sense. The bacteria from raw chicken can kill ya, it's serious stuff.

But lashing bleach into the toilet every day and that business is a waste of time and money. I mean you are just gonna pish and schit in it again anyway and people tend not to lick the jacks seat.

As an aside, I haven't had a cold in about a year and haven't thrown up in over 4 years I think.

temply · 29-07-2010 06:41PM

I always wash my hands when I get off the bus - have seen some pretty gross things on them - people are pretty disgusting

Mike 1972 · 29-07-2010 06:50PM

temply wrote: »

I always wash my hands when I get off the bus

They have sinks at bus stops now

temply · 29-07-2010 07:49PM

Mike 1972 wrote: »

They have sinks at bus stops now

they should! i saw this aul lad the other day eating a snack box, he dropped his bones on the floor and then wiped his hands all over the seat

i was amazed, it was sweltering hot too, stank out the bus, not a bother on him

disgusting

Heroditas · 29-07-2010 07:50PM

Lex_Diamonds wrote: »

"I went to Cavan and got the scuts" etc.

Even then you won't even get that for free in Cavan!

storm2811 · 29-07-2010 08:00PM

During the whole swine flu scare they started putting those alcohol foam dispensing things everywhere,the stink was fcuking brutal,never used them but everyone else was using them like mad afraid to die of swine flu ffs.:pac:

I only use anti bacterial stuff on the chopping boards or counters if I've made food on them.

cocalolaman · 29-07-2010 08:05PM

Why do they never kill the full 100% of bacteria?

peasant · 29-07-2010 08:07PM

Avoid unnecessary antibacterial household products. We need the bacteria that surround us, and it is possible that trying to kill them is causing harm. By introducing antibacterial products into the landfills and sewage we are ensuring that only the microbes that are resistant to these products survive. Research is underway to determine if we are selecting for resistant bacterial populations causing antibacterial agents, like antibiotics, to lose their effectiveness or disrupt the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment plants or nutrient cycling in the soil. Use antibacterial hand soaps only when dealing with ill and immunocompromised individuals.

so basically, by using tons of antibacterial stuff we are most likely currently breeding the unkillable, antibacterial-resistant bacteria that will eventially kill or starve us ...or both

http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/meade_callahan.html

Mike 1972 · 29-07-2010 08:08PM

cocalolaman wrote: »

Why do they never kill the full 100% of bacteria?

Because theres always those badass hardcore bacillus rambo which just refuse to die and will get you in the end ?

Mickeroo · 29-07-2010 08:14PM

Apparently asthma is a lot more common now because some parents keep the child's environment so sterile, and kids aren't let play out in the dirt as much anymore either.

Have we become obsessed with antibacterial soaps/cleaners/wipes, etc?

Comments