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Chris Shaw
Editor |
Clean your bathroom sink, because it’s more contaminated than the toilet
11 October 2013
If you were to ask someone what object in the bathroom is the most contaminated with bacteria and mould, the answer you would receive is probably the toilet seat, however a recent study, undertaken by the bacteria testing department at antimicrobial experts BioCote, shows that bacteria don’t always thrive in the places we would expect.
BioCote took multiple samples from objects and surfaces in a public disabled toilet and tested them for levels of bacteria and mould.
Most people would assume that the toilet seat would be right at the top of the list for high levels of contamination but although it is in the top 5, the level of bacteria found on it was equal to that found on the hand rail and the tap. Topping the list was the sink itself which showed more than 1,000 Colony Forming Units (CFUs).
Dr Richard Hastings, technical director at BioCote, said "In many cases germs are spread via touch so we can see that objects touched after people have used the toilet, but before they have washed their hands can be just as contaminated."
The other interesting results were the levels of bacteria found on the less obvious objects and surfaces such as the floor, the wall and the underneath of the toilet. Dr Hastings explains: "This is probably because people only tend to clean the areas they can see, and the areas where they expect the bugs to grow. Unfortunately bacteria and mould can be found everywhere and they will just keep multiplying. We know most rooms are full of germs and although they may not necessarily be harmful, the higher the count, the greater the risk of illness."
According to BioCote, the only object in the bathroom on which no traces of bacteria or mould were found was the soap dispenser incorporating BioCote antimicrobial technology.
