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CASH MACHINES & SHOPPING TROLLIES

“MORE INFECTIOUS THAN PUBLIC LOO SEATS”

Hot on the heels of a recent study in the UK which identified cash machines as hotbeds for bacteria, a study from the University of Arizona has concluded that the handles of shopping trolleys carry more bacteria per inch than supermarket toilets.

A team from Warwick University led Dr Richard Hastings, a microbiologist with UK firm BioCote, took swabs from city-centre ATMs all over England and did the same with toilet seats from nearby public loos. The swabs were left to grow for 24 hours and the results showed that the cash machines had similar levels of bacteria – levels described as 'heavily contaminated'. Both sets of swabs contained pseudo-monads and bacillus; bacteria which cause sickness and diarrhoea.

A similar study in the US found that the handles of 85 supermarket shopping trollies had more bacteria than the restrooms in supermarkets. 72% of the trollies tested had faecal bacteria and almost half showed 'traces' of E.coli. Bacteria were also found on the frame and basket.  Dr. Charles Gerba observed that the restrooms were regularly cleaned, whereas trollies were only likely to be cleaned following a leak or spillage.

However there is no evidence of outbreaks of disease or patterns of infection related to trips to the supermarket or use of ATM's. Indeed, many doctors and scientists are concerned that a recent 'obsession' with cleanliness could be doing as much harm as good.

It was revealed in 2010 that the NHS now spends over £1Bn a year – 11% of its budget, treating patients with mild to severe allergic reactions. Our compulsion to use modern detergents that rid our bodies and homes of germs and viruses also reduce our bodies ability to fight infection and allergens.

Pamela Ewan, an allergy consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital, said  the answer to the phenomenal growth in allergies in recent years could be a change to our lifestyle. She said: “It could be to do with changes in our environment, a change in allergen exposure, pollution or diet. The only thing we know is that it is clearly related to modern, western ways of ­living.”

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