Public Restrooms are Full of Bacteria, Says Research

A new study published in the journal PLoS ONE has found that the men's and women's public restrooms and full of bacteria. Researchers from University of Colorado led by Gilberto Flores conducted gene sequencing of six men’s and six women’s public restrooms and found that some of the most common places that we come in contact with are severely infected with bacteria.

The researchers identified 19 different bacteria groups infecting places such as doors, faucet handles, floors and even soap dispensers. Majority of the bacteria could be easily transmitted by touching the contaminated surfaces.

The researchers found that the source of majority of the bacteria was through skin with a number of skin-associated bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus being found. Flores said that while majority of the bacteria were harmless, there were some that could lead to health complications.

“I anticipated that most of the surfaces would have evidence of human bacteria. As long as you wash your hands with soap and water, you will be fine”, he said.


Source-Medindia