Holy Water Presents Significant Health Threat
- 11 years ago
A new Austrian study shows holy water can cause extreme sickness or even death.
Used by various religions for blessing, baptisms, and spiritual cleansing, people believe holy water has miraculous healing properties – either from being officially blessed or divinely made that way. (common facts)
It’s also unofficially used to keep evil at bay. However, vampires aren’t the only ones in harm’s way. A new Austrian study shows holy water threatens people too.
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna sampled 21 holy springs and 18 fonts. Tests showed up to 62 million bacteria per milliliter. 86 percent contained fecal matter bacteria as well as fertilizer nitrates in excessive levels. Both can lead to extreme sickness or death. (1,2-4,all)
Still, methods of keeping holy water safe do exist.
During Italy’s swine flu outbreak in 2009, Luciano Marabese invented a sensor-controlled holy water dispenser much like automatic soap dispensers. Instead of dipping fingers, people just hold their hands under the terracotta urn. (2,6,all)
For places unable to install this machine, the study’s microbiologist Dr. Alexander Kirschner advises to at least frequently replace the water as well as post warning signs and the history of specific springs. (1,9,1)
His most important advice? Don’t drink the holy water. (1,5,1)
Used by various religions for blessing, baptisms, and spiritual cleansing, people believe holy water has miraculous healing properties – either from being officially blessed or divinely made that way. (common facts)
It’s also unofficially used to keep evil at bay. However, vampires aren’t the only ones in harm’s way. A new Austrian study shows holy water threatens people too.
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna sampled 21 holy springs and 18 fonts. Tests showed up to 62 million bacteria per milliliter. 86 percent contained fecal matter bacteria as well as fertilizer nitrates in excessive levels. Both can lead to extreme sickness or death. (1,2-4,all)
Still, methods of keeping holy water safe do exist.
During Italy’s swine flu outbreak in 2009, Luciano Marabese invented a sensor-controlled holy water dispenser much like automatic soap dispensers. Instead of dipping fingers, people just hold their hands under the terracotta urn. (2,6,all)
For places unable to install this machine, the study’s microbiologist Dr. Alexander Kirschner advises to at least frequently replace the water as well as post warning signs and the history of specific springs. (1,9,1)
His most important advice? Don’t drink the holy water. (1,5,1)