Discover the Hidden World of Bacteria on Your Phone
A fascinating study published last year in the journal Scientific Reports delved into the microbial world living on the phones of 26 hospital medical staff. Shockingly, they uncovered a staggering 1,307 different bacterial strains, along with an array of pathogenic fungi, viruses, and bacteriophages.
But it’s not just healthcare workers who are at risk. Even the Average Joe’s phone is teeming with potentially harmful bacteria. In fact, a study conducted by scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Queen Mary revealed that up to 16 percent of phones harbor significant amounts of E. coli, a common food poisoning bacteria found in feces.
Aside from E. coli, the most prevalent bacteria found on phones include:
- Staphylococcus, a widespread bug known for causing staph infections of the skin
- Actinobacteria, a diverse family of bacteria responsible for tuberculosis, diphtheria, and bacterial vaginosis
- Citrobacter, which can lead to urinary tract infections, sepsis, and meningitis
- Enterococcus, known to cause various infections, including meningitis
Surprisingly, antibiotic-resistant bacteria also find a home on our smartphones. According to another study conducted on healthcare workers’ phones, 69.9 percent of samples contained multidrug-resistant bacteria.
It’s as disgusting as it sounds. A study by the University of Arizona revealed that phones carry 10 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.
Why Are Phones So Filthy?
Ever wondered how smartphones become breeding grounds for pathogens? Well, a 2018 survey found that three out of four people in the US admit to using their phone while on the toilet. You can probably imagine the rest.
It’s estimated that the average person taps, swipes, and clicks their phone screen a whopping 2,617 times each day. For heavy users, that number doubles to 5,427 touches a day. In between these touches, our hands constantly pick up new microbial hitchhikers from handrails, handshakes, elevator buttons, and more.
So, could your phone actually make you sick? Research suggests it’s possible. It’s certainly enough to make you think twice about scrolling through doom and gloom while munching on a sandwich.
How to Keep Your Smartphone Germ-Free
Don’t worry, though. Despite these unsettling findings, it’s relatively easy to keep your smartphone clean and free from germs.
Start by removing any debris with a soft, lint-free cloth, and then use a wipe containing 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol will effectively eliminate the most problematic pathogens, and it should evaporate before reaching the inner workings of your device.
