Does biocide use contribute to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria?
There have been several laboratory studies that show a possible link between exposure to biocides and antibiotic resistance. However, other investigations have not found such a link. Exposure to biocides can affect bacterial populations so that only the resistant strains survive, and this has been associated with increasing resistance to antibiotics. This could be relevant for biocides used in consumer goods because a small number of biocides are used widely in many different household and personal hygiene products. As a result, the bacteria on human skin and in homes are repeatedly exposed to certain antimicrobial products. However, it is not clear whether this type of bacterial exposure to biocides will lead to antibiotic resistance. Data are scarce but there is some evidence of a link between using biocides in veterinary products, and increased resistance to antibiotics. This emphasizes the need to develop research and surveillance programmes in the area of animal husbandry. Measuri
