It’s a germy world out there
Filed under: Health and Safety, Stores and shopping, Outings, Current Studies and Research
When my husband returned from his New York business trip last week, he was all aghast at the lack of hand washing he observed. I wouldn't call him a germaphobe (yet), but my husband is a stickler for keeping his hands clean. He was surprised and a little disgusted to see many, many people coming in off the streets to eat lunch or dinner without washing their hands first. Sometimes germs just can't be avoided, but knowing where they lurk can at least offer you a fighting chance. With the assistance of University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba, Dr. Andrew Weil tested everyday items and compared them to others to see which was germier. The results are gross and sometimes surprising. For example, if you think that the toilet would win a germ contest with the kitchen sponge, you would be wrong. The sink is full of nasties and it is a good idea to change your sponge often. In between sponge changes, you can sterilize it in the dishwasher or get it wet and microwave it for one minute.
Icky hotel bedspreads actually have fewer germs than the remote control but ATM machines and first floor elevator buttons tied for germs. The one place that always icks me out is the grocery store. Some stores offer hand sanitizer wipes right near the shopping cart corral, but mine doesn't. I always try to avoid touching the handle, but it is damned near impossible to steer a wobbly cart with your elbows. But you might want to give it a try because according to Dr. Weil, there is all kinds of yuck on those handles. 55% of the cart handles tested were contaminated with bodily fluids (urine and saliva!) and 21 percent had traces of blood.
The moral of this story is wash, wash, wash. Oh, and you might want to rethink that lemon wedge in your tea.
Illustration by: Paul Sahre and Loren FlahertyRead | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments