Most people have used a public restroom and survived. However, there are some surprising surfaces that could be riddled with germs ferocious enough to make one sick. What are they and what is the best way to avoid them?
Naturally, the first object that we accuse of being the filthiest is the toilet seat. All of that butt-touching must make a difference, right? Wrong. In fact, according to Dr Charles Gerba, professor of microbiology at University of Arizona, due to our care in keeping it clean when we use it, it’s one of the cleanest surfaces in the bathroom.
What is the dirtiest surface? That would be the floor. Women’s Health said that the floor can harbor bacteria as harmful as Staphylococcus or E. coli. Avoid setting handbags or backpacks on the floor or you could bring home a nice Staph infection.
This is partially due to what is called “the toilet plume,” which consists of bacteria and water droplets from the toilet that become aerosolized and travel considerable distances away from the toilet. Microban.com conducted a study and found that water droplets alone after a flush can travel up to 2 feet away from the toilet, meaning that toilet paper holders and other objects typically near a throne get coated with fecal matter. Women’s Health said that other studies have found that bacteria from toilets can reach as far as sinks or toothbrushes. If you lean over a toilet without a lid, like the toilets on campus, while flushing, you could be covering yourself in porcelain funk.
If you want to do your business without having a germophobic freak out, try to flush with the door open for a quick escape to minimize exposure. Also, try and avoid direct contact with the flusher handle. Use your foot or a paper towel to keep your hands squeaky clean.
It’s hard to beat a thorough hand washing. The CDC recommends washing with soap and warm water with special attention paid to between the fingers and under the fingernails. Make sure to wash for 20 seconds at the least. Try and avoid contact with faucet handles by using a paper towel to turn the faucet off.
