Tuesday, March 04, 2008

How clean is too clean?

I found this article in today's WaPo very interesting: Immune Systems Increasingly On Attack. The article seems to indicate that we may be keeping our immediate environments too clean for our own good, or particularly our kids' own good. It would seem that sterilizing everything isn't such a good idea after all. Of course nothing is known for certain at this point, but the article is interesting nonetheless.

4 comments:

Chelle said...

I totally agree. Americans are turning into a country full of "Monks." Although OCD is funny on the television, I think that in our zeal to be clean . . . no, not just clean. . . Sterile . . . we are hurting ourselves and making life not very fun!

I'm Kate... said...

I hear this loud and clear. I have a bit of the OCD, and although I would love my entire house to look like a Pottery Barn magazine, its not that healthy for my kiddo. I've learned to "chill out" and let him put his hands in his mouth at 15 months old, and not worry, as he needs to get a cold every now and again. My inlaws FREEEEEAK OUT if he doesn't wash his hands every 5 minutes with dial eat-your-skin-off antibacterial soap, but I can't be that freaky about it. He got a cold when he was 2 months old, and honestly, he hasn't been sick since. I think the immunes that he sustained with that little cold has helped him stay healthy this entire year. Some germs are good! They help fend off the big ones when they come along. You gotta be careful, but not TOO careful.

Great blog!

Jan said...

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

i agree with you 'chelle'. Even thats funny But not good for us.
So for all of you just be careful.

By the way...
Nice Blog!