The very products we rely on to kill germs could be making superbugs stronger, a new scientific report warns. Widespread, everyday use of disinfectants, particularly hand sanitisers and cleaning sprays containing specific chemicals, is now linked to the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Hidden Mechanism in Your Hand Gel
The report, originally detailed by Milena Esser in The Conversation on Wednesday 24 December 2025, highlights the role of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). These chemicals are ubiquitous in household and clinical products designed to disinfect surfaces and skin.
QACs do not just eliminate microbes; they apply a powerful selective pressure that forces bacteria and other microbes to evolve. This evolution leads to resistance against the disinfectants themselves. More alarmingly, this resistance can trigger co-resistance and cross-resistance mechanisms, effectively boosting the microbes' defences against crucial antibiotics as well.
A Global Health Crisis Intensified
This phenomenon is pouring fuel on the fire of the existing antimicrobial resistance crisis. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths in 2019 alone. The situation is described as critically high and continues to worsen globally.
The core issue lies in overuse. While disinfectants are essential in hospitals and clinical environments, their proliferation in daily life for general cleaning creates constant selective pressures. This environment favours the development and spread of resistant microbial strains, undermining the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
Moving Beyond "Kill All Germs"
The report advocates for a significant shift in public and professional mindset regarding cleaning. Responsible practices must now consider the long-term ecological consequences, not just immediate germ elimination.
The goal should be intelligent management of our microbial world, not its indiscriminate destruction. This means reserving potent disinfectants for situations where they are medically necessary, rather than using them as a default for routine cleaning.
In essence, the very hand sanitiser you use for protection could, through this unintended consequence, be contributing to a larger pipeline of infection that antibiotics may one day fail to treat. Public awareness and informed usage are becoming vital tools in the fight against superbugs.
