Bacterial Contamination in Cleaning Products: What You Need to Know
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Last December, there was some concerning news about the safety of popular laundry and household cleaning products.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall on 'The Laundress' cleaning items that were sold in many stores across the country, like pharmacies, homeware, and giftware shops.
This is because they contained bacteria that could lead to serious health problems, such as severe infections or illnesses.
These products were available both in-store and online at Saison from January 2021 to November 2022. The bacteria discovered — namely the Burkholderia cepacia complex, Klebsiella aerogenes, and various species of Pseudomonas — can be dangerous if inhaled, ingested, or if it enters the body through the eyes or an open wound.
This is particularly concerning for people who have weakened immune systems, have underlying lung conditions, or rely on medical devices. To learn more about the affected products and read the full article about the recall, you can check out this link.
Keeping our homes clean and germ-free is something that we all care about - and it's concerning to hear that some of the cleaning products that we rely on may not be doing the job we expect.
Recent recalls of popular cleaning products have raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of the products we use every day.
You might be wondering if it's possible for bacteria to be present in cleaning supplies, especially since these products are meant to kill germs. It's a valid concern, and it's why we need to understand why these recalls are happening and what they mean for our health.
In this article, we'll provide a general overview of everything you need to know, so you can make informed decisions about the products you use to keep your home clean and safe.
What is pseudomonas?
In the recent recall, it was discovered that one of the types of bacteria found in the affected cleaning products is called pseudomonas. But what exactly is pseudomonas, and why is it dangerous?
According to Dr Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University, pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the environment and can cause a variety of infections, ranging from pneumonia to bloodstream infections, and they can be serious if untreated.
Pseudomonas is often present in soil and water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The type of pseudomonas that most commonly infects humans is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa - the type that can cause infections in various parts of the body, such as the lungs or bloodstream.
Unfortunately, pseudomonas has become resistant to many antibiotics that are used to treat the infections it causes. This means that it can be difficult to treat and can lead to serious health problems.
How are they harmful to humans?
While it's true that pseudomonas are a type of bacteria that can impact a person's health, it is usually not a big problem for healthy people.
According to Dr Thomas Russo, an infectious disease expert, pseudomonas are a 'wimpy bacterium' and typically only causes minor infections, such as swimmer's ear (also known as otitis externa) or skin infections like hot tub folliculitis (Pseudomonas folliculitis).
However, if someone has a weakened immune system, pseudomonas can cause more serious infections. Drug-resistant pseudomonas is especially dangerous, and in 2017, it caused many infections and deaths in hospitalised patients abroad.
These infections can be difficult to treat, even for experienced medical professionals. That is why it's important to be aware of pseudomonas, especially if you're immunocompromised, to avoid exposure to the bacteria and to seek prompt medical attention if you suspect an infection.
How exactly did they get in the recalled cleaning products?
Pseudomonas are a resilient bacteria that can survive in a variety of environments, including soil. According to Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, these bacteria are adaptable and can tolerate harsh conditions.
In fact, pseudomonas are a fairly common bacteria and can even be found in everyday places like showers. So, how does it end up in cleaning products?
As Dr Amesh Adalja explains, contamination likely occurs during the manufacturing process. It's not uncommon for bacteria to be introduced during the production of cleaning products, and even with quality control measures in place, some bacteria may slip through.
Is there a way to tell if pseudomonas bacteria are present in your cleaning products?
Unfortunately, according to Russo, it's nearly impossible to detect it just by looking at the products. However, it's rare for pseudomonas to be found in cleaning products, despite recent recalls.
If you're still worried, there are ways to protect yourself. Associate Professor Alan recommends checking the cleaning products you use to make sure they contain at least 30% ethanol, which can kill pseudomonas.
Most hand sanitisers typically have a higher concentration of ethanol, ranging from 60-70%. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide and bleach are also effective against pseudomonas.
If you want to take extra precautions in the future, Alan suggests purchasing cleaning products that contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide, which can kill pseudomonas and other bacteria. This can give you peace of mind and help you keep your living space clean, healthy, and germ-free.
If you prefer to avoid chemicals altogether, don't forget there are so many different homemade chemical-free cleaning products that you can make too! Need a few ideas? Check out this article.
While pseudomonas contamination in cleaning products is uncommon, it's still vital to be mindful of the potential risks associated with some cleaning products. It's always a good idea to read labels and stick with reliable and quality brands to protect your safety and well-being.
At the end of the day, being informed and taking precautions can make all the difference. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and helpful tips to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe.
Members, it's important to stay in the know when it comes to everyday items that may pose risks, so spread the word and help others stay informed too!
What are your thoughts about this?
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall on 'The Laundress' cleaning items that were sold in many stores across the country, like pharmacies, homeware, and giftware shops.
This is because they contained bacteria that could lead to serious health problems, such as severe infections or illnesses.
These products were available both in-store and online at Saison from January 2021 to November 2022. The bacteria discovered — namely the Burkholderia cepacia complex, Klebsiella aerogenes, and various species of Pseudomonas — can be dangerous if inhaled, ingested, or if it enters the body through the eyes or an open wound.
This is particularly concerning for people who have weakened immune systems, have underlying lung conditions, or rely on medical devices. To learn more about the affected products and read the full article about the recall, you can check out this link.
After a slew of recent product recalls due to contamination, folks are on high alert wondering exactly how 'germ-free' really the products they use daily are. Credit: Pexels/Anna Shvets.
Keeping our homes clean and germ-free is something that we all care about - and it's concerning to hear that some of the cleaning products that we rely on may not be doing the job we expect.
Recent recalls of popular cleaning products have raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of the products we use every day.
You might be wondering if it's possible for bacteria to be present in cleaning supplies, especially since these products are meant to kill germs. It's a valid concern, and it's why we need to understand why these recalls are happening and what they mean for our health.
In this article, we'll provide a general overview of everything you need to know, so you can make informed decisions about the products you use to keep your home clean and safe.
Pseudomonas is commonly found in soil and water. Credit: Unsplash/Adrian Lange.
What is pseudomonas?
In the recent recall, it was discovered that one of the types of bacteria found in the affected cleaning products is called pseudomonas. But what exactly is pseudomonas, and why is it dangerous?
According to Dr Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University, pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the environment and can cause a variety of infections, ranging from pneumonia to bloodstream infections, and they can be serious if untreated.
Pseudomonas is often present in soil and water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The type of pseudomonas that most commonly infects humans is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa - the type that can cause infections in various parts of the body, such as the lungs or bloodstream.
Unfortunately, pseudomonas has become resistant to many antibiotics that are used to treat the infections it causes. This means that it can be difficult to treat and can lead to serious health problems.
Healthy people are not likely to experience any major problems from pseudomonas exposure. Credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio.
How are they harmful to humans?
While it's true that pseudomonas are a type of bacteria that can impact a person's health, it is usually not a big problem for healthy people.
According to Dr Thomas Russo, an infectious disease expert, pseudomonas are a 'wimpy bacterium' and typically only causes minor infections, such as swimmer's ear (also known as otitis externa) or skin infections like hot tub folliculitis (Pseudomonas folliculitis).
However, if someone has a weakened immune system, pseudomonas can cause more serious infections. Drug-resistant pseudomonas is especially dangerous, and in 2017, it caused many infections and deaths in hospitalised patients abroad.
These infections can be difficult to treat, even for experienced medical professionals. That is why it's important to be aware of pseudomonas, especially if you're immunocompromised, to avoid exposure to the bacteria and to seek prompt medical attention if you suspect an infection.
Pseudomonas are a resilient bacteria that can survive in a variety of environments, including soil. According to Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, these bacteria are adaptable and can tolerate harsh conditions.
In fact, pseudomonas are a fairly common bacteria and can even be found in everyday places like showers. So, how does it end up in cleaning products?
As Dr Amesh Adalja explains, contamination likely occurs during the manufacturing process. It's not uncommon for bacteria to be introduced during the production of cleaning products, and even with quality control measures in place, some bacteria may slip through.
Pseudomonas is a fairly common bacteria and can even be found in everyday places like showers. Credit: Unsplash/Julia Koblitz.
Is there a way to tell if pseudomonas bacteria are present in your cleaning products?
Unfortunately, according to Russo, it's nearly impossible to detect it just by looking at the products. However, it's rare for pseudomonas to be found in cleaning products, despite recent recalls.
If you're still worried, there are ways to protect yourself. Associate Professor Alan recommends checking the cleaning products you use to make sure they contain at least 30% ethanol, which can kill pseudomonas.
Most hand sanitisers typically have a higher concentration of ethanol, ranging from 60-70%. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide and bleach are also effective against pseudomonas.
If you want to take extra precautions in the future, Alan suggests purchasing cleaning products that contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide, which can kill pseudomonas and other bacteria. This can give you peace of mind and help you keep your living space clean, healthy, and germ-free.
If you prefer to avoid chemicals altogether, don't forget there are so many different homemade chemical-free cleaning products that you can make too! Need a few ideas? Check out this article.
At the end of the day, being informed and taking precautions can make all the difference. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and helpful tips to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe.
Members, it's important to stay in the know when it comes to everyday items that may pose risks, so spread the word and help others stay informed too!
What are your thoughts about this?
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