In a world increasingly obsessed with cleanliness, antimicrobial chemicals have become a staple in everyday life. From soaps and cosmetics to cleaning sprays and period products, they promise to protect us by “killing 99.9% of bacteria”. But these products come at a hidden cost: they don’t just target harmful germs, but also the beneficial bacteria that are vital for our health.
Each of us is home to over 30 trillion bacteria that cover every inch of our bodies, from our gut and skin to our lungs and eyelashes. This complex and dynamic ecosystem is the microbiome, and it plays a crucial role in digesting food, protecting against infections and supporting the immune system.
Disrupting the microbiome has been linked to serious health problems such as asthma, obesity, cancer and life-threatening infections. There is growing evidence that antimicrobial chemicals can damage the microbiome. Scientists call this “microbiotoxicity”.
