The dangers of wet wipes

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Wet wipes were alleged to be discovered by American Arthur Julius in 1957, who secured the patent rights for this product. Wet wipes have become a global phenomenon with its ready and immediate action on germs. It was first used to guard persons against diseases which are communicable and which can be had by contact with filthy environments. Wet wipes were used instead of dry wipes as toilet tissue or toilet paper. The only difference is the integration of healing properties or, for a better phrase, preventative ingredients. They are used as sanitisers for the hand, face or to clean faeces from the anus.  

In countries like certain African states where persons do not readily have access to running water, the wet wipes becomes handy. They operate as an antiseptic to kill all microbes which will infiltrate any area on the body and cause disease. Bacteria are known to be killed at the swiping touch of wet wipes. The antibiotic component of these wet wipes causes them to be very useful in hospitals and remote districts where persons have difficulty to access proper sanitary conveniences. This useful products seemed to be the way to go a few years ago, but the sweet song has gradually changed because it is turning into a global disaster because it has been misused. Its non-biodegradable qualities allow it to contaminate the environment if not disposed properly.

Because of the constant casual usage of this miracle cure, germs killer, the pharmaceutical industry is actually being paralysed by the great resistance certain common germs have been known to develop. In common medical jargon, they are immune to the antibiotics which are on the wet wipes. Many antibiotics with the same components as what are on the wet wipes cannot cure these same diseases which have been under control since Alexander Flemings unfolded the secret in penicillin in 1928. The medical fraternity is in shambles with ubiquitous usage of wet wipes, leaving these antigens resistant to these many antibodies.

Paris Taylor