7 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

Et cetera: Study finds grocery cart handles are dirtier than public restrooms


02/06/2006

A new study finds that grocery cart handles carry more germs, bacteria, and bodily fluids than surfaces in public restrooms, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Researchers from the University of Arizona in Tucson tested nearly 1,100 surfaces in public areas and found that grocery cart handles trail only public bus handrails and equipment at children’s playgrounds in a ranking of the dirtiest public surfaces. The carts tested positive for proteins found in blood, mucus, sweat, saliva, and urine, as well as for fecal matter, E. coli, and salmonella. Researchers found that about half of shopping cart handles “weren’t frequently cleaned,” and 21% tested positive for bodily fluids. To address the problem, a number of grocery retailers have begun offering customers SaniCart Wipes manufactured by Nic-Pak Products to clean carts between uses. Named “Best New Product” in 2004, the wipes are one of several EPA-registered disinfectants that are designed to eliminate the common flu virus, staph, and salmonella (Cho, 2/3).

[intotheblue]

A new study finds that grocery cart handles carry more germs, bacteria, and bodily fluids than surfaces in public restrooms, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Researchers from the University of Arizona in Tucson tested nearly 1,100 surfaces in public areas and found that grocery cart handles trail only public bus handrails and equipment at children’s playgrounds in a ranking of the dirtiest public surfaces.

and some people wonder why we Texans don't go for mass transit... we're too smart to ride those filthy vehicles unless we absolutely have to! We don't ride in grocery carts much either!

[6Gill]

[

We don't ride in grocery carts much either!

Living on the side of a mountain I've discovered riding shopping carts dangerous for another reason...it turns out they don't come from the factory with brakes

Eric

[Twinklez]

My oldest son has dimples in his legs just below the knee from riding downhill in a shopping cart in the alley behind where we lived when he was 6 yrs old! He still laughs about it.

[Desert_Diver]

Simple solution to the grocery carts: eat out more frequently! Support your local restaurants!

Heck, I stopped by my Dr's office today to pick up copies of my medical records, and ALL of the office staff were hacking up hairballs. They said "you can wait, it'll only be 20 minutes or so", but I declined and beat a hasty retreat. I'll stop back tomorrow to pick 'em up when I can do another fast in & out. Note to self: use alcohol wipes before you grab the steering wheel... it looked nasty.

Going neurotic on avoiding occasional bugs didn't do Howard Hughes any good. He died anyways. I figure you need to exercise your immune system regularly. What doesn't kill ya makes you stronger.

[Marion1336]

There are a couple grocery stores here in the Chicago area with an antibacterial wipes dispenser for use by the carts area. I knew they were dirty, I had no idea just HOW dirty. Yuk.

[cmt489]

As gross as this maybe, what people fail to remember is how dirty the average private kitchen is as well. Studies have been done to show that the average household has a more sanitary bathroom than kitchen and one of the primary culprits to this issue is people not laundering dish towels enough and using sponges well after they have expired. After reading these stats, I never use sponges and I wash my dish clothes in hot water every couple of days! I am also a huge fan of bacteria killing cleaners. I have to admit, when it comes to sanitation, this is the one area that I am an environmental villian!

[captsteve]

As gross as this maybe, what people fail to remember is how dirty the average private kitchen is as well. Studies have been done to show that the average household has a more sanitary bathroom than kitchen and one of the primary culprits to this issue is people not laundering dish towels enough and using sponges well after they have expired. After reading these stats, I never use sponges and I wash my dish clothes in hot water every couple of days! I am also a huge fan of bacteria killing cleaners. I have to admit, when it comes to sanitation, this is the one area that I am an environmental villian!

my kitchen is so bad that i expect the CDC to show up any day now...... however, my dive gear is spotless!