Biohazard lurks in bathrooms: Shower curtains awash with potentially harmful bacteria

Nature News Service ^ | February 16, 2004 | PETER ALDHOUS

[dirtbiker]

I have no idea about the water quality from the local creek that flowed past our farm, but I figured if it was good enough upstream for the town to use for their drinking water, it couldn't be that bad. Spent many a hot, summer day floating on that creek in an innertube with my friends.......(18.4 X 38 tractor tubs are big enough to carry about 4 people, or 2 if you assume the "horizonal" position)

[Fresh Wind]

I predict mold is going to be the next big cash cow for the trial lawyers. They've pretty much milked tobacco and asbestos for all the billions they could, now the're moving on to greener blacker pastures.

[YaYa123]

hee hee...assuming

there is a toilet near by.

[thinking]

frankly Charles, I am more worried about all that fish P&P in the water, than a few bugs on the curtain...

[dirtbiker]

Ditto!

[CSM]

On "Mythbusters" yesterday the did a test to actually verify or bust this myth. They did verify it, but in addition to the toothbrushes in the bathroom, they also had control brushes kept in a seperate room under a cover. The control brushes also had the "fecal" contaminant bacteria. The conclusion is that contaminants just exist and there is not much you can do about it. Your body fights them and your body is pretty efficient in that fight.

[hellinahandcart]

The only solution is taxpayer-funded glass enclosures for every shower on the planet. And a maid to come in and clean them once a week.

[WV Mountain Mama]

That is also my husband's theory. Kids need to get dirty so they can build resistance. Anitbacterial soaps are bad because your body doesn't build up antibodies to fight. When I taught, the dirty kids never got sick. There were a couple that I prayed would get sick cause they were such a pain in the arse. Never happened. It was the nice, clean polite kids who were sick all the time.

[dirtbiker]

Your body fights them and your body is pretty efficient in that fight.

My thoughts exactly. Your immune system is just like any other body part, including the brain. Unless you "exercise" it, it won't work as efficiently as it could.

[dirtbiker]

..... or a warning label. Just like the ones currently on cigarette packs, and food, and our SUV's, and toys, and..........

And don't forget to print it in 16 different languages, so nobody will feel left out, and be offended..........

[Gabz]

Only once a week?????

I would assume that with such imminent danger lurking in our bathrooms the maid would have to be live in to clean the shower after each use!!!!

[dirtbiker]

better yet, the maid could live in the shower! Yeah, that's the ticket........

(So long as Hitlery and her health care task force doesn't get to pick MY maid!)

[CSM]

".....the maid would have to be live in to clean the shower after each use!!!!"

If a maid is assigned to me, she better clean the shower during use! It would save water, don't ya know!

[Gabz]

LOL!!!

[cricket]

"And keep your toothbrush covered when you aren't using it."

. . .but be careful; bacateria breeds in dark, closed environs!

Actually, a can of lysol can work wonders; and there is always the chlorox and chlorox wipes and if that is too much; and don't forget the Purell! Of course, soap is readily available as well!

Any more of this and I will be wondering if these 'germ/bath/food nazis' who put out this info have stock in pharmaceuticals. . .

Obsessive/cumpulsive disorder getting almost as hot as ADD et al. . .

[FourPeas]

The government MUST do SOMETHING immediately. I DEMAND legislation to mandate shower curtains be made safe for all Americans.

What? You mean we're supposed to clean suff?

[CSM]

Great (perverted) minds think alike!

[FourPeas]

Most of these folks can't possibly have an immune system left after all that sanitizing.

Exactly. It's amazing we human beings survived so long without anti-bacterial soap, spray and plastic.

[dirtbiker]

You are correct, sir! (BTW, I resemble that remark!)

[foolscap]

I saw this same story I think on the CNN website. In this version I think a little of it did not get included or at least I'm not seeing it. He talked a bit about how thinking about microbes and germs is good can but one get into a "Howard Hughes mode" I was so happy to see that said because I tend that direction especially after I read things like this. Of course I am in a line of work that requires me to be around sick people all the time and do a lot of touching in order to do their care. I have a way above average awareness of what's out there and how you can get it. Needless to say I take all the precautions but at the same time I'll find my head running on this topic in a really neurotic way. I have to give myself a good shake and say "Stop it right now! Your going to end up like Howard Hughes"

Just recently, as part of my work, I had to fill out a form asking questions about stuff dealing with mental disorders (like do you have one?). I checked several boxes which I knew fell in the obsessive compulsive area. When I spoke to the doctor he really asked a lot of questions about it. I told him that I bath 2 times a day and wash my hands a lot. He took this as being a problem in the making. Then when I told him what I was required to touch in the course of my daily work he totally changed his mind and asked "Are you sure you're washing enough?". I told him yes but if I ever start washing my hands 70+ times a day,picking everything up with a Kleenex, hiring Mormon caregivers and saving my urine in Mason jars I would quickly be back in touch. Even he had to laugh.