Are there downsides to deep cleaning?
Covid-19 has prompted a cleaning frenzy. CrowdScience listener William works as a personal trainer in a gym, and while cleaning\u2019s always been part of his job, it\u2019s now taken over much of his working day. He\u2019s constantly wiping down equipment and doing regular deep cleans, and he reckons he can sanitize his hands 40 times in one shift.
This kind of routine might strike a chord with many of us, and it\u2019s certainly vital to take hygiene seriously during times of pandemic.
But could there be any downsides to all this extra cleaning? There\u2019s a whole world of microbes out there: some, like SARS-CoV-2, make us sick, but others are essential for our health. A rich microbiome is linked to a healthy immune system, while \u2018good\u2019 microbes help keep \u2018bad\u2019 ones at bay. And what about the chemicals in cleaning products \u2013 do they have any unintended consequences for our health?
CrowdScience turns to the experts to ask whether our supercharged hygiene routines could damage our immune systems, or promote the spread of superbugs. And we hear why, as long as we have a good diet, plenty of fresh air, and ideally a furry pet, we don\u2019t need to worry too much about being too clean.
Presented by Marnie Chesterton\nProduced by Cathy Edwards for the BBC World Service
(Photo credit: Getty Images)