Germ Warfare Begins at Home

We all tell our children to wash their hands before they eat, and after using the restroom. 95percent of adults surveyed, by The American Society of Microbiology, said they did too. But one-third of those watched in public restrooms really didn't, according to the recently released study. The more people do their part to control the spread of infection, the less we have to use antibiotics. This is very important because antibiotics will lose their effectiveness over time, as bacteria develop resistance to them.


So, where are these dangerous germs lurking?


Researchers at The University of Arizona in Tucson, swabbed hundreds of surfaces, which can harbor disease causing germs, to determine the most unhygienic areas of commonly found in the home and in public areas.


In Your Home


Experts say the most likely place to find disgusting bacteria is right in your kitchen. To prevent food poisoning and respiratory illnesses, it's important to know where these bacteria live. The greatest number of fecal bacteria actually are found in the kitchen sink and the least number in your bathroom. Actually, there are 200 times more fecal bacteria on your cutting board than on a toilet seat. Based on this testing of homes, here are the top five hot spots:



  • The kitchen sponge of dish rag is a germ's favorite place to live with 6,000 bacteria per square centimeter.

  • The kitchen sink comes in second.

  • The bathroom sink is third.

  • Kitchen tap handles are fourth.

  • And the refrigerator door is fifth.

Note: The top of the toilet seat comes in dead last with less than one bacterium per square centimeter.


Germ Warfare In the Kitchen: Make sure you target the hot spots with cleaners that use the word "disinfect." Here are some specifics:



  • Cutting boards. Keep several cutting boards on hand, including one reserved for cooked foods, another for raw meats, and a third for everything else. Scrub them with diluted bleach or a liquid detergent that's labeled "microbial" after each use. Plastic cutting boards can be disinfected in the dishwasher.


  • Dishes. Make sure the water in the dishwasher is at least 150 degrees. (Household water heaters should be set no higher than 120 degrees to protect against scalding, but many dishwasher have an internal heater, check with the manufacturer.) If you're washing by hand, use an antimicrobial liquid detergent and water that's as hot so you can stand. Let dishes air-dry rather than wiping them with a dish towel that might not be fresh out of the laundry.


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