Don't overuse disinfectants, Dutch Health Council warns

The Dutch Health Council issued a warning about the overuse of disinfectants on Wednesday. According to the Council, disinfectants also kill bacteria that are good for humans and overusing disinfectants could lead to pathogens becoming resistant to them, ANP reports.

The Health Council recognizes that disinfectants are necessary in some cases, such as in disinfecting medical equipment and preventing food spoilage. But in many other cases, using disinfectant is unnecessary.

For example, the effectiveness of using disinfectants in the daily washing of ICU patients, or routinely disinfecting hospital floors, walls and ceilings, has not be proven.

People also use too much disinfectants at home, the Council says. Disinfectants can be found in detergents, soap, toothpaste and mouthwash, while it is usually unnecessary for a person's health, according to the Council.