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Keyboards of ATMs charged in bulk with microbes and contaminants
Whenever you withdraw money from an ATM, you also come into contact with microbes of strangers. Researchers have now discovered that the input fields of ATMs contain a variety of microbes from human skin, food stains and potentially novel environmental organisms.
New York University researchers found in an investigation that the input fields of ATMs contain many microbes and other contaminants. You could almost say that the input fields contain a cross section of the DNA of all city dwellers. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "mSphere".
Most people use ATMs to quickly get new cash. However, the keyboards of these machines have a large number of microbes and other contaminants. So, if you pay close attention to your hygiene, you should wash your hands after using ATMs. (Image: guruXOX / fotolia.com) DNA on keyboards represents record of human behavior
Our findings indicate that ATM input fields have microbes from different sources, the researchers say. These include, for example, human microbiome, food and potentially novel environmental organisms, said author Professor Jane Carlton of New York University in a press release. Here, the DNA from these keyboards can provide a record of microbial human behavior and environmental sources.
Physicians examined samples from 66 ATMs in New York
Between June and July 2014, the researchers took samples from 66 ATMs in three New York districts: Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. The sequencing methods included a number of human skin microbes.
Cash machines of cash machines are contaminated with tons of microbes
The most common sources of microbes on the cash dispenser keypads were related to household items or items such as televisions, toilets, and kitchens, say the authors. In addition, microbes of chicken, fish and other foods were also found. This suggests that residual DNA from meals sticks to the hands of individuals. This is then transferred through the use of ATMs on their keyboard. So in the future you might want to have a cleaning cloth for your hands when you want to use an ATM machine.
It makes no difference if the machines are inside or outside
Automated ATMs in laundromats and stores had the highest number of biomarkers of lactobacillales (lactic acid bacteria). These are usually found in some plants or dairy products, explain the researchers. It is also particularly noticeable that the biomarker Xeromyces bisporus was found extremely frequently in samples from Manhattan. This is associated with spoiled baked goods. There was no significant difference in microbial load on outdoor or indoor keyboards, the experts add.
Microbial communities on keyboards are a cross section of DNA
Since each of the keyboards in New York is likely to be used by hundreds of people every day, in addition to exposure to air, water and microbes from various urban surfaces, the microbial communities on the keyboards represent a cross-section of the DNA of the urban community, the Co Author Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello of New York University.
Samples had a low diversity
Overall, the samples had a low diversity and showed no obvious grouping according to their geography. The relative lack of diversity between sites could be triggered by periodic cleaning of the machines, which wipes out some of the microbes, say the physicians. (As)