A dip into the danger of germs

The lethal bacteria lurking on everyday objects

THEY’RE the menace hiding on everyday objects.

Where there are people, there are germs – and some where we least expect it.

And last week a study from Harvard University showed bacteria are an unexpected hazard at dinner parties and barbecues.

Hygiene experts warned against dunking half-eaten crisps in shared bowls of dip.

“Double- dipping” is when you dip a crisp or cracker, take a bite and return it to the bowl for more.

It is a surefire way of sharing germs which can cause a host of illnesses.

In fact, a cracker dipped in salsa three times was shown to spread 10,000 bacteria from mouth to dip, according to the study.

The average mouth is home to 1000 different types of bacteria including some which are life-threatening, such as E. coli and staphylococcus.

But dinner party dips aren’t the only hidden germ hotspots we face in everyday life.

We spend much of our day-to-day lives in contact with these bacteria – but there’s not much we can do about it, according to microbiologist Professor Sally Bloomfield.

“We’re hard-wired to be on the lookout for dirt when we’re cleaning,” explained Professor Bloomfield.

“We know that there’s a link between the dirt we can see and disease.

“But we’re not as good as identifying the areas where there might be germs, because they’re invisible.

“There are objects and areas in everyday life which are vehicles for nasty bacteria.

“But it’s important to remember that places such as petrol pumps, handrails and trolleys aren’t the source of germs.

“They come from people, food or animals.

“And there’s no real way we can eliminate these unseen germs from everyday life, either.

“The best way to approach it is to wash your hands.

“I’m sure we’ve all done it but recently I was travelling for much of the day – touching door buttons and handles – before heading for a hamburger.

“It’s easy to blame the burger bar but they’re not likely to be to blame for me being quite ill afterwards.”

Here’s The Sunday Post guide to the 10 grubby worst-offenders.