Send us feedback. Copyright 1999 American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved. These habits include washing and cleaning with antibacterial products, demanding antibiotics from our doctors every time we feel sick, not having kids vaccinated, and dosing farm animals with antimicrobials. If you haven't already registered, you must register with the site first before you can access the article.
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Let's look at some of the concerns mentioned in the article. As yet, there have been no studies that prove beyond any shadow of doubt that increasing use of antibacterial household products is adding to the problem of drug resistance. However, there have been studies that suggest microbes can evolve to resist the antibacterial agents used in these household products. Dr. Stuart Levy, an expert on antibiotic resistance, has done one of the most widely debated studies. See Antibacterials vs. Soap in the News section.