The negative information I've read/heard about anti-bacterial products from a variety of sources usually refers to the fact that completely killing "all" bacteria in an environment can open the door for the proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria, leaving them without competitors and little to stop them. Also, some doctors say that having some bacteria in our environment can help people (especially children, if they're not too young) develop stronger immune systems. That, of course, would exclude anyone with a compromised immune system.
This is a very different concept, though, than the claims about the harmfulness of the various substances in NCLisa's post above. I will say this, though... I'm sensitive to many of those hand sanitizers (probably the alcohol in them) and have developed a rash on my hands a few times from using them - so I tend to stick with soap and water and use those sanitizers cautiously (like for wiping down pens, etc.). |
