Today, bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics and there is scientific evidence that the use and misuse of biocides such as disinfectants, antiseptics, or preservatives can contribute to antibiotic resistance. If and how this might occur has been explored in the recent opinion on “Antibiotic Resistance Effects of Biocides” by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) of the European Commission.
Biocides are added to many consumer goods such as cosmetics and detergents to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. They are widely used in animal husbandry, food production and health care.
According to the SCENIHR report, biocide use could pose a direct threat to human health if it leads to the survival of some harmful bacteria which are resistant to antimicrobial products. Even the emergence of harmless resistant bacteria could pose
Can indirect threat, since their genes that confer resistance might be transferred to harmful bacteria.
To safeguard our ability to treat infections with antibiotics, a good hygiene to prevent infection and the appropriate use of biocides are crucial.
Different biocides act in different ways and some are more likely to lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria than others.
The risk of spreading resistant genes depends on the type of bacteria involved. Bacteria that grow as a biofilm attached to a surface are particularly able to survive hostile conditions and pose a high risk of resistance to both antibiotics and biocides.
For further details read the full GreenFacts summary on the Effects of Biocides on Antibiotic Resistance
Currently, conventional incandescent lamps are being replaced with more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Do these energy-saving lamps aggravate the symptoms in patients with certain diseases? GreenFacts faithfully summarized the recent assessment by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR)
Read the GreenFacts summary on: Energy-Saving Lamps and Health
The listening habits of most users are unlikely to cause hearing loss, but some young people are putting their hearing at risk in the long term. This is a conclusion of the scientific opinion published today by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) and faithfully summarised by GreenFacts.
Read the GreenFacts summary on personal music players and hearing
Engineered particles of nanometre size can have unique properties and very different effects on health and the environment compared to the same material at larger sizes. New or modified methods are needed to better determine the properties of nanoparticles, measure exposure to them, assess their potential hazard, and detect their movement in the body and in the environment.
In addition to natural sunlight, sunbed users seeking to achieve a tan expose themselves to substantial amounts of artificial UV radiation. However, there is evidence that UV radiation can cause damage to health. What are the health and safety implications of both natural solar UV radiation and artificial UV radiation from sunbeds?
GreenFacts has faithfully summarized the SCCP’s “Opinion on Biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sunbeds for cosmetic purposes (2006)”
Nanotechnologies refer to technologies which exploit the unique properties of tiny particles of nanometre size (millionths of a millimetre). They represent a fast-growing market and are already being used in a variety of technologies and consumer products. However, materials containing nanoparticles may be of concern for human health and the environment, and the risks of these recently developed materials need to be assessed. Are the existing methodologies to assess these risks appropriate?
GreenFacts has faithfully summarized the SCENIHR’s “modified Opinion (after public consultation) on the appropriateness of existing methodologies to assess the potential risks associated with engineered and adventitious products of nanotechnologies (2006)”.
