immune organisms. One of the most common issues is over-dilution of chemical disinfectants by contractors.


By applying too much water to disinfectant concentrates, the amount of biocidal substance present can be reduced to a level that is no longer lethal to the targeted bacterial cell. This leaves a small proportion of the targeted bacteria remaining that develop immunity and go on to pass it to their progeny. The result is the emergence of potentially harmful bacterial strains with reduced biocide susceptibility.


Another increasing cause of biocidal resistance is the indiscriminate use of biocidal products that can result in low- level residues of biocides remaining on the surface after cleaning.


When the biocide residues come into long-term contact with the targeted bacteria, because the residues contain sub-lethal concentrations of the biocidal product, the targeted bacteria become more resilient against the products used to treat them. This drastically weakens biocide efficacy and puts end-users at risk.


It’s also worth noting that chemical disinfectants often contain antimicrobial additives that are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi and viruses, however, pathogenic organisms are becoming increasingly immune to these additives.


In one study, 100 times the concentration of triclosan was required to kill a resistant strain of E. coli as compared to a strain not yet exposed to the antimicrobial. The resistant E. coli also showed resistance to a new antibiotic being tested at the time of the experiment (‘Triclosan and Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria: An Overview’).


A 2012 study also revealed that exposing E. coli bacteria to increasing concentrations of three different types of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), which are commonly used as antimicrobials and disinfectants, resulted in E. coli populations that had become resistant to several families of antibiotics. The authors concluded their research with the warning that using a low dosage of QACs “may lead to the emergence of antibiotic-


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resistant bacteria and may represent a public health risk” (‘Resistance to Phenicol Compounds Following Adaptation to Quaternany Ammonium Compounds in Escherichia Coli’).


WHAT ALTERNATIVES


ARE THERE? Now more than ever people are concerned about ‘superbugs’, which have arisen due to the historical overuse of antibiotics and the development of microbial resistance to chemical biocides generally.


The misuse of


biocides could pose a threat to human health if they lead to the survival of harmful bacteria.


WHAT ARE THE PUBLIC HEALTH


CONSEQUENCES? The cleaning products contractors use when cleaning facilities and premises should achieve two things; they should prevent the establishment of harmful bacteria, and prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. With the rise of biocide resistant strains of harmful pathogens, there are a number of potential health risks for people that can lead to increased sickness.


Microorganisms can be found everywhere, on all surfaces and even on our skin. While most of these are harmless, some strains can pose a risk to human health.


Most pathogens can be spread easily through coming into contact with a contaminated person, food source or surface. Organisms such as E.coli (Escherichia coli) and C. diff (Clostridium difficile) are found in the digestive tract of humans and infections can easily spread through inadequate hand-washing after using the toilet, and before handling or eating food. Therefore, these organisms can often be found in kitchens or washrooms and can lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting and in some cases more severe conditions such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome.


But just as there are harmful bacteria, there is also an abundance of beneficial bacteria that can be used to tackle the issue of biocidal resistance within the facilities management industry. While traditional chemical cleaners have been predominantly used in the FM and cleaning industries, the benefits offered by new biological cleaning products cannot be ignored.


Rather than using harsh chemicals, ‘beneficial bacteria’ can be applied to specific cleaning challenges to break down the soiling present and malodorous compounds produced by ‘bad bacteria’. As well as this, the beneficial bacteria naturally compete with and can overtake the harmful bacteria present.


Unlike chemical cleaners, which offer short-term cleaning benefits, biological cleaners, which contain live bacteria or enzymes, help to build an active biofilm of beneficial bacteria on the application surface prolonging cleaning efficacy, as the beneficial bacteria continue to break down soiling after the initial application, unlike chemical cleaners.


This significantly reduces the frequency of cleaning and the labour costs of having to re-apply the cleaning products. Minimising the use of chemical products also carries the benefit of preserving asset value, and reduces the impact of facility damage from harsh chemical cleaners.


Furthermore, because the beneficial bacteria remain on, and in, the surface after application, they continue to work for as long as there is food for them, they can remove stubborn soiling over a few days or a few applications that even the strongest chemical products can never touch, and prevent the re- establishment of harmful organisms.


www.genesisbiosciences.co.uk HEALTHCARE HYGIENE | 31


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