On 04/09/2007, at 8:51, Linda Hill wrote:

> "And swiping with chemicals is no replacement for running water. I  
> wonder
> how many resistant bacteria and yeasts build up when mothers are  
> using these
> regularly and thinking they've "cleaned" their equipment."
>
> Lara,  the antibacterial wipes are no different than the  
> antibacterial foam
> that healthcare professionals have been told to use upon entering a  
> patients
> room.

The only antibacterial gels I use in that setting are the alcohol- 
based ones, which don't leave significant antibacterial residue and  
don't contribute to the development of resistance.

The Medela wipes are not alcohol-based. The active ingredients  
consist of "Octyl Decyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, Dioctyl Dimethyl  
Ammonium Chloride, Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, Alkyl (C14,  
C12, C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride"[1]. These are quaternary  
ammonium compounds, which are strongly associated with the  
development of resistant bacteria. I'm not reassured by the marketing  
that these substances are safe for routine use in an infant food  
preparation item. Others might be, I am not.

In addition, a lot of people are hooked on using massive amounts of  
QACs throughout their household and business environment as well as  
on their own skin, deluded by corporate marketing fuelled paranoia  
into feeling that it is essential to constantly chemically "sanitise"  
everything they have contact with.  This is causing an environmental  
menace, which is causing major problems to the most vulnerable people  
in our society. I have taken a stance of not contributing to this.

Water works. There is almost always running water reasonably close to  
a location where a woman is pumping. If it won't be, I simply  
recommend carrying a water bottle.


Lara Hopkins

[1] source: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp158335_333181_sespider/medela/ 
medela_quick_clean_breastpump_and_accessory_wipes_40ea.htm

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