Blog #7 One in six mobile phones contain E coli

Scientists have found that one in six UK mobile phones have traces of E coli bacteria due to poor personal hygiene. Researchers say that this is most likely caused by people not washing their hands after going to the bathroom. Another study found that Britons tend to lie about their personal hygiene. 390 people were survey and 95% of them said they wash their hands with soap where it was possible. 92% of mobile phones and 82% of hands were contaminated with bacteria. This seems to be the cause of a fatal outbreak of food poisoning in Germany in June. A virulent strain of the bacteria was found in this outbreak. The highest level of E coli contamination was found in London (28%). Faecal bacteria can survive for hours at a time and it is easily transferred.

This is a global problem because it can have an effect on anyone in the world. People in the UK are not the only ones not washing their hands. A lot of people don’t realize that after use the bathroom and choose not to wash their hands they are touching any and everything. This spreads the bacteria and causes people to get sick and possibly die from something that could easily be prevented by washing hands. A lot of people use hand sanitizers when they are in places where they don’t have soap and water. This is not 100% effective but it is a lot better than not cleaning your hands at all. There may be even more outbreaks of food poisoning if the world doesn’t improve their personal hygiene. Children are at the greatest risk because we are taking care of them and if we aren’t sanitizing more than likely they aren’t either. They are also more likely to put their hands in the mouths and eyes which spreads the bacteria even more and could cause illness or death.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/13/mobile-phones-uk-e-coli