Public Soap Dispensers May Make Your Hands Dirtier
- 11 years ago
Despite people’s best efforts to keep their hands clean and germ-free, using the soap dispensers in public restrooms may be defeating the purpose.
Despite people’s best efforts to keep their hands clean and germ-free, using the soap dispensers in public restrooms may be defeating the purpose.
According to a study conducted by GOJO Industries, a soap company, Montana State University, and the University of Arizona, in some cases individuals would have fared better had they washed their hands in the toilet.
The research team took over 500 soap samples from public restrooms in 5 major cities across the country.
They found that a quarter of them were so laden with contaminants that using them made matters worse.
Fecal and coliform bacteria were among the hazards discovered.
How they got there could have been any number of ways.
Refilling dispensers, mixing concentrate, diluting soap, and vandalism are all possible means of entry.
The study was set into motion when a GOJO microbiologist was given moldy soap samples some of her coworkers had taken from showers at gyms.
Further small-scale and local studies were conducted, and soon the exploration into the matter reached the national level.
According to GOJO, installing sealed soap containers has proven effective in diminishing the development of bacteria.
Despite people’s best efforts to keep their hands clean and germ-free, using the soap dispensers in public restrooms may be defeating the purpose.
According to a study conducted by GOJO Industries, a soap company, Montana State University, and the University of Arizona, in some cases individuals would have fared better had they washed their hands in the toilet.
The research team took over 500 soap samples from public restrooms in 5 major cities across the country.
They found that a quarter of them were so laden with contaminants that using them made matters worse.
Fecal and coliform bacteria were among the hazards discovered.
How they got there could have been any number of ways.
Refilling dispensers, mixing concentrate, diluting soap, and vandalism are all possible means of entry.
The study was set into motion when a GOJO microbiologist was given moldy soap samples some of her coworkers had taken from showers at gyms.
Further small-scale and local studies were conducted, and soon the exploration into the matter reached the national level.
According to GOJO, installing sealed soap containers has proven effective in diminishing the development of bacteria.