I am a fan of the Discovery Channel. One of the programmes is Myth Busters - this particular episode provoked an idea
This particular myth is about the way bacteria travels and where it is located. In the video fluorescent dye is used as a drip from a nose. It is to simulate a runny nose. The task is set to build a model air plane and after a good amount of time a UV light is used to locate the fluorescent dye. The table and equipment and materials are covered and his face and hands are completely smoothed in 'germs'
As the dye is only seen under the black UV light (just like germs) you cannot see them but under a special light.
So i had an idea of researching the most bacteria prone areas and items in the house. using the internet and my own testing.
1. THE KITCHEN SPONGE
Statistics show that there can be 250,000 bacteria per square inch on the handy kitchen sponge–yes, the very implement that we use to clean our food prep areas and eating surfaces is swarming with bacteria. The moist pores that make a sponge such an effective cleaning device also make it a perfect cozy village for germs, and very hard to disinfect. Wiping counters or dishes with a dirty sponge will only transfer the bacteria, like dastardly E. coli, from one item to another.
2. DISH RAGS
Dish rags present the same problem as kitchen sponges, but since they don’t have the same pervious texture they are less attractive to bacteria.
3. THE KITCHEN SINK
Do you hear a buzz in your sink? Salmonella, campylobacter, and E. coli are having a little party in your drain. Not really, I don’t think germs have parties, or voices, but still … the kitchen sink is a terrific venue for bacteria. Food and grime get stuck around and in the drain, and bacteria like that very much. From there, migration to the basin and faucet handles isn’t such a stretch.
4. WET LAUNDRY
This one is as gross as it is surprising. I don’t really know how to tell you this, but there’s poop in your laundry. A report from ABC News states that there is about 0.1 gram of fecal material in a piece of underwear, which adds up to approximately 100 million E. coli bacteria in an average undergarment load. Yuck and yikes. And as many of us don’t use bleach and scalding water for laundry, much of that bacteria just takes a swirly swim and is up and running to contaminate our hands as we transfer to the dryer.
5. BATHTUB
I’m sorry to tell you this, but many garbage cans are cleaner than bathtubs, which can ring in at about 100,000 bacteria per square inch.
6. FLOORS
The kitchen gets food spills, the bathroom gets toilet bowls splashes–bacteria heaven. Most of us aren’t touching or eating off the floor that often, but are kids might be!
7. KITCHEN GARBAGE
Not surprisingly, the kitchen garbage can is a germ magnet–food waste and a dark, moist environment makes bacteria so very happy.
8. TOYS
Oh, kids and germs–they go together like peas and carrots. And once you factor in the germs from all the friends and classmates, that are transported into your home, sick-city.
9. PHONE
Hello germs? Hello dirty little phone. Both home phones and mobile phones are ideal places for germs to thrive. Between our hands and our mouth, the top germ transmitters, the phone is tremendously germy. In addition, when was the last time you cleaned your phone?
10. CUTTING BOARD
Again, gross. According to the ABC report, there are 200 times more fecal bacteria on a cutting board than a toilet seat. Seriously. If you think about it, the toilet seat itself doesn’t have direct contact with a lot of bacteria, while the cutting board hosts a lot of raw food which is often loaded with bacteria.
so i plan to collect items from my own home and investigate the germs and the volume of bacteria. Using fluorescent dye and a uv light i plan to make a display of items in natural light and then have the area pitch black with the uv light on to simulate the germs.
watch this space!
