The importance of labels in curbing antibiotic resistance

Antimicrobial chemicals have become a ubiquitous ingredient in the products we surround ourselves with—from kitchen utensils to children’s toys to the very materials from which we construct our buildings. As a consequence... [ view full abstract ]

Antimicrobial chemicals have become a ubiquitous ingredient in the products we surround ourselves with—from kitchen utensils to children’s toys to the very materials from which we construct our buildings. As a consequence of their high production volumes and widespread application, some antimicrobials are emerging as contaminants of concern in aquatic systems. Because of the risks they pose to human and environmental health, and in the absence of data demonstrating their efficacy, the FDA recently banned several antimicrobials from hand soaps. However, use of these chemicals continues in products outside the purview of the FDA.

In addition to aquatic environments, antimicrobial chemicals accumulate in indoor dust, unintentionally increasing exposure to humans as well as to the built environment microbiome. The consequences of indiscriminately exposing indoor microbes to antimicrobial chemicals are particularly disquieting because similar exposures have resulted in an increase in antibiotic resistance in other environments. Furthermore, the concentration of certain antimicrobial chemicals in indoor dust correlates with the abundance of specific antibiotic resistance genes. The spread of antibiotic resistance is a global challenge of the utmost importance to public health; it is thus crucial to evaluate all avenues by which human activities contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance, including the use of antimicrobial chemicals.

For many products, natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobials could be used, or antimicrobials can be omitted entirely. However, it is extremely difficult to identify which products may be problematic because labeling is inconsistent and access to the chemical makeup of antimicrobial products is often denied. Not all products that contain antimicrobial chemicals are advertised as such. Even when a product is advertised as antimicrobial, it can be impossible to identify the specific antimicrobial chemical ingredient. Inconsistent labeling practices and regulation prevent consumers from making informed decisions and impede researchers and regulatory agencies from assessing risk associated with antimicrobial products. With effective labeling, we could make wiser choices regarding our use of antimicrobial chemicals, thereby lessening the global burden of chemical pollution and reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance.