Bacteria in handbags and toilet seats

Dangerously high bacterial load in handbags

05/18/2013

Women's handbags are often more germ-infested than their average toilet seat, the British daily reports „Daily Mail“ citing a recent study by the hygiene service provider „Initial hygiene“. Leather handbags are particularly heavily contaminated with bacteria, since the rough surface of the germs offer excellent growth conditions. One out of every five handbags would have been found to be a serious threat to human health.

The investigation has shown that the dirtiest item in the purse is the hand cream. On average, more germs are found on their surface than on the seat of a public toilet. Also „Lipstick and mascara proved to be a little better“, reported „Daily Mail“. The technical manager at „Initial hygiene“, Peter Barratt explained: „Handbags regularly come into contact with our hands and a variety of surfaces, so the risk of transmitting various germs to them is very high.“ Here, the bacteria could then reproduce well, especially since the handbags would be cleaned only very rarely, the experts report.

Clean handbags regularly to avoid contamination
In order to avoid bacterial contamination of the handbags, Barratt and colleagues recommend thoroughly cleaning the bags regularly. In addition, the hands should be washed after rummaging in the purse as possible. Also, occasional mucking out of handbags is recommended. Here you will often find countless items that act as a potential breeding ground for germs, in the handbag but actually not needed. The experts also advise to clean the contents and the surface of the handbag from time to time with antibacterial cloths. The fact that their handbag has a higher bacterial load than a toilet seat should, however, be reason enough for women to pay particular attention to hygiene in relation to the handbag without the special request of the experts.

Germ-contaminated everyday objects
Again and again, alarming bacterial contaminations have been detected in recent years in investigations of bacterial load on common everyday objects. So had the hygiene service provider „Initial hygiene“ In a recent study, extreme coliform contamination was found in half of all office kitchens studied. The communal kitchen was in many cases heavily contaminated with the bacteria that are found in human feces and can lead to severe gastrointestinal infections with abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting when taken orally. The draining surfaces, the freezer compartment and the microwaves (both inside and on the handles and buttons) were particularly stressed. In general, in the office, the telephone handset, keyboards and computer mice are considered particularly germ-infested, but lurking the dangers were the investigations of „Initial hygiene“ According to sometimes in the office kitchens or even in the purse. (Fp)