Just over a year ago, the need to ‘disinfect’ and ‘sanitize’ became a priority for every American. Mountains of Clorox wipes and gallons of hand sanitizer later, what long-term effects could increased use of antibacterials have on our health? Or for our water?Amy Sapkota, professor of Applied Environmental Health at the University of Maryland, studies links between real-world microbial exposures and infectious disease in humans. Antibacterial agents are necessary, she says, but some are better and safer than others. Original air date: March 31, 2021.

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