Put Down the Disinfectant

Many of us amped up our cleaning regimens during the pandemic. This spring, however, Erica Hartmann, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and dozens of other scientists issued a warning in the journal Environmental Science & Technology about the overuse of certain chemicals often found in cleaning products. Here are some of their findings: 

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) — found in disinfectant solutions and wipes, hand sanitizers, medical instruments and more — are linked to asthma, dermatitis and inflammation and may also be associated with infertility and birth defects.
• Disinfection with QACs often has no benefit over cleaning with plain soap and water.   
• QACs threaten to worsen antimicrobial resistance, “which was already contributing to millions of deaths per year before the pandemic,” says Hartmann. 
• Levels of QACs in our bodies and the environment have increased since the pandemic began. The scientists recommend closely monitoring these levels, eliminating QAC use when possible and requiring full disclosure of QACs in all products.