Household disinfectants Australians have relied on throughout the COVID-19 pandemic may actually be doing more harm than good.

Macquarie University research has found a common biocide disinfectant, valued for its non-toxicity, may actually stop aminoglycoside antibiotics from working as well as increase bacterial resistance.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is widely used in household products like antibacterial wipes, eye drops, eardrops and disinfectants.

One of the study’s lead authors Dr Francesca Short (PhD) says biocides are not regulated in Australia “and there isn’t a lot of information on what they are doing to the bacteria they are being used on”.