Posted on 03/07/2011 1:43:01 PM PST by BenLurkin
Next time you head down to your local supermarket, you may be taking your health into own hands literally.
New research shows that nearly three out of four shopping cart handles are rife with fecal bacteria, including some that can cause severe illness.
Dr. Victoria Millett, a local infectious disease specialist, tells KFWBs Maggie McKay researchers actually found more fecal bacteria on grocery cart handles than you would typically find in a bathroom.
Professor Charles Gerba, the lead researcher in the University of Arizona study, took samples from the handles of 85 carts across four states for bacterial contamination.
Gerba says 72 percent of the carts tested positive for fecal bacteria, with up to half the samples containing Escherichia coli, otherwise known as E. coli.
(Excerpt) Read more at losangeles.cbslocal.com ...
>> THERE ARE GERMS EVERYWHERE <<
Yep, and not only that:
A little exposure now and then is a good thing, especially for children. If you’re “underexposed” to germs, your immune system probably won’t function at its highest achievable level of effectiveness.
ENOUGH, for God's sake.
ENOUGH, for God's sake.
Not if you're muslim.
HA HA HA HA
I was wondering how fecal bacteria would get on the cart handles. I can think of two ways off the top of my head, either of which is not pleasant to think about.
This is exactly why I always put toilet paper down first before using public shopping carts.
As you stated, germs are everywhere. Believe me, we are not underexposed by a long shot.
Nobody is suggesting that we all retire to our plastic bubbles, but there is no reason not to protect yourself from serious pathogens like E. Coli. These types can make you really sick and sometimes result in death.
Guess there are still quite a few people who haven’t had the pleasure of finding used diapers on the shelf at grocery store...usually tucked in behind the grocery items...change the kid’s diapers; then grab your cart and head off down the aisle...
SH!T HAPPENS !!!
More often than you think.
BLECHHHHKK!
Drinking water today out of a Chinese made water hose thats made out of God knows what...
I`ve gotten concerned with public bathroom doorknobs
Sit down in there...not a chance
That’s crappy news!
I use the wipes to clean the grocery cart handle too and usually I won’t set my purse in there either. I cringe when I see someone with their baby in there teething on those NASTY cart handles. Yuck.
The one good thing about winter is it gives an excuse to wear gloves and not to touch shopping carts, door handles, gas pumps, etc., etc., etc....
I confess I'm a germophobe, it's why I use paper money less and less. Do you know how filthy money is? I use my CC and get miles or gas. I used to hate shaking hands in church 1,000 years ago when I used to go - germs abound. Y U C K ! ! !
Restaurant menus are the filthiest things going. I'll typically go wash my hands immediately after ordering.
The #1 reason I hate going to the supermarket is handling the cart or the hand basket thingy. I keep a roll of paper towels in my car and wrap them around the cart handle sections that I touch.
Hawthorn and the other Freepers who are advocating a "let's not get hysterical" stance are quite right in my opinion. Bacteria is everywhere, on our bodies, clothes, everywhere. It's a matter of employing appropriate counter-measures when needed. Use common sense sanitary procedures. As many of the posters have said, we are still alive. We are not talking about the 'Andromeda Strain' here.
My mother was amazed way back in the 1940’s when the family doctor told her that a little dirt on her kid (me) was actually a good thing!
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