Study Finds ATMs Are Dirtier Than Public Toilets 6
You might want to wear gloves the next time you use an ATM according to a new study. Swabs of public banking machines found bacteria levels at least equal to those found in public restrooms. From the article: "'We were surprised by our results because the ATM machines were shown to be heavily contaminated with bacteria; to the same level as nearby public lavatories,' Richard Hastings, a microbiologist for BioCote, which sponsored the study, told the Telegraph newspaper. 'In addition, the bacteria we detected on ATMs were similar to those from the toilet, which are well-known as causes of common human illnesses.'"
Surprise? (Score:3)
How is this surprising? It has been known for years that keyboards/mice are the dirtiest objects you can find in the house/office.
And these are basically the public variant of that, used by all, and cleaned by none...
Durr. (Score:2)
These results are only surprises to anyone who hasn't heard of any of the previous studies on this matter.
The result is obvious when you know the main vector for the spread of bacteria by humans is the hands. The things we touch are dirty.
The dirtiest place in a public restroom is the door handle everyone touches on the way out.
Plus, even the dirtiest public toilet gets cleaned once in a while. How often do the buttons on an ATM, pay phone, or vending machine get disinfected?
File this under old, old news.
Maybe now they'll understand (Score:2)
What is really surprising... (Score:1)
I am Joe's complete lack of surprise. (Score:1)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2009_season)#Hidden_Nasties
If i remembder corectly, the others surfaces (that are touched very often) contained more bacteria. But the toilet seat contained the more dangerous one.
Yeah, i know peoples dont like Mythbusters here. But that episode was more interesting, relevent and newsworthy then this article.