Our hands touch 140 items on average every day, many of which are surprisingly covered in germs. Observational studies indicate that a significant portion of people do not wash their hands with soap and water after using the restroom, even if they claim they do.
Our hands act as express routes for bacteria and viruses, collecting them from everyday surfaces and transferring them directly to our eyes, nose, and mouth. Below are some of the most unexpected places where germs thrive in our daily lives.
Your Cell Phone
Your phone goes with you everywhere, from the kitchen table to the bathroom. This intimacy makes it a perfect spot for germs to grow. Experiments discover that the average smartphone is more than ten times dirtier than a toilet seat and is home to thousands of bacteria.
Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, says, “People are just as likely to get sick from their phones as from touching a public doorknob. We treat them like a third hand, but we never wash them.”
Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths
The same utensils you’re utilizing to clean your kitchen are really some of the dirtiest items in your home. A kitchen sponge’s warm, moist conditions are an ideal place for bacteria to breed.
One German study found that a single square centimeter of a used kitchen sponge can contain more living bacteria than anywhere else in the house, including the toilet.
ATM Buttons
Withdrawing cash is a quick and common task, but it involves touching a surface that thousands of other people have touched. Key pad swabs from ATMs in large cities have revealed them to be infested with microbes, the same as those on public restroom surfaces.
Restaurant Menu
Once you are seated in a restaurant, the first thing you typically reach for is the menu. These are not often sanitized between customers. Studies have shown that a restaurant menu can harbor up to 185,000 bacteria per square centimeter.
Dr. Gerba’s study concurs with this as well, with menus ranking as one of the most bacteria-laden items in a restaurant. “All the individuals around the table touch the menu, and then they eat with their hands. It’s a direct transmission route for germs,” he warns.
Shopping Cart Handles
A trip to the grocery store exposes you to more than a bargain on produce. Shopping cart handles are pushed by hundreds of individuals a day, many of whom are coughing, have colds, or have filthy hands.
A significant portion of shopping cart handles contain harmful bacteria, including E. coli. Specifically, a widely cited study found that 72% of carts had fecal bacteria, and over 50% of those samples contained E. coli.
This is concerning because bacteria on shopping carts are often at higher levels than in public restrooms and can lead to the transmission of food-borne illnesses.
Gas Pump Handles
Fueling up is another daily task with a grimy secret. Gas pump handles are touched by hundreds of motorists daily and are almost never sanitized. One analysis of everyday surfaces found that over 70% of gas pump handles tested were “highly contaminated” with microbes associated with illness.
“People pumping gas are not thinking about hand hygiene,” says Dr. Emily Martin, an epidemiologist. “They touch the handle, get in their car, then touch their steering wheel and face, transferring germs.”
Office Coffee Pot Handle
The office coffee pot is a morning tradition for many, yet its handle is a huge breeding ground for germs. Germs can travel with incredible speed in an office setting.
One study placed a tracer virus on a single doorknob and found it contaminated the handle of the coffee pot, as well as 40-60% of workers and office surfaces, within two to four hours.
Public Touchscreens
Public touchscreens, like those on transit ticket machines or supermarket self-checkout kiosks, are everywhere and frequently touched by countless hands each day.
But their convenience comes at a price. The screens are not frequently cleaned, making them breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses.
Elevator Buttons
Riding an elevator involves coming into contact with buttons that have been touched by hundreds of individuals. Microbiologists have found that there can be more bacteria on elevator buttons than on toilet surfaces.
Being in the close quarters of an elevator also facilitates airborne transmission when an individual coughs or sneezes.
Your Pet’s Toys and Bowls
We love our furry friends, but their belongings can be a haven for germs. Pet toys and food bowls can harbor bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which can be transmitted to humans.
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) study ranked pet bowls as the fourth germiest location in the home.
“Pets do have bacteria in their mouths,” veterinarian Dr. Sarah Wallace says. “When they drink from their bowl or chew on a toy, they leave those germs there. If you come in contact with those items and don’t wash your hands, you can get sick.”
Key Takeaways
Good health is usually a question of good habits. The world is full of germs, but you can reduce your risk of illness significantly with some basic precautions.
Wash Your Hands Often: Your best protection is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Do this particularly after touching surfaces that many people frequently touch.
Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water are not within reach, utilize a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Clean Your Belongings: Regularly disinfect personal items like your phone, keys, and wallet. Don’t forget household items like kitchen sponges and pet bowls.
Be Aware of What You Touch: Pay attention to what you touch in public and attempt to wash your hands afterward.
By being aware and taking action, you can keep your hands clean and your body healthy.
Also on MSN: 10 Facts That Prove Columbus Doesn’t Deserve a Holiday
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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