|
As Americans spend time behind the wheel, they may be unknowingly acting as a chauffeur millions of germs and fungi.
In a recent study, microbiologists randomly tested both the interiors and trunks of 25 cars. They found that the typical automobile had, on average, 285 types of bacteria present in every square inch of the vehicle. They identified at least 10 major types of bacteria.
Anthony Hilton, the microbiologist who led the study, assumed that steering wheels would house the most germs. However, stick shifts -- with 356 germs per square inch -- did worse, because they have a smaller surface area that concentrates the bugs. The carpet of the trunk similarly contained an average of 300 to 400 bacteria per square inch.
One of the main reasons a car gathers germs is because few people clean the interiors well or disinfect them.
Sources:
|