News Story

UK cars infested with bacteria

Friday, 12 Sep 2008 00:00

The Aston University study indicates British cars are infested with bacteria

A study conducted by Aston University shows drivers with children and pets are more likely to have high levels of bacteria riding along with them.

The most populated place with 356 germs identified per cm2 was the gear stick.

In one case a car boot had over 850 bacteria present per cm2, while bacterial traces of excrement were found in the boot of the car, in the same spot as weekly food shopping was regularly placed.

Dr Anthony Hilton, Aston University director of biology & biomedical science, said: "Whilst most of the bacteria we've found are unlikely to cause serious health problems, some cars, particularly those which regularly carry children and animals, play host to potentially harmful germs.

"People would be horrified at the thought of eating off their toilet seat, but few realise eating off their car dashboard is just as likely to make them sick."

Harmful bacteria, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), were identified in some vehicles, along with Salmonella and Campylobacter, which are capable of surviving on surfaces inside cars, such as a steering wheel or dashboard, for up to a month.

More common types of bacteria were found in all cars included Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus, which are carried around on human skin and do not generally cause anything of concern to healthy individuals.

Other bacteria found included Bacillus, Serratia marcesens and Enterobacter aerogenes - found in soil and dust and are most likely to be carried into the vehicle on the shoes of car occupants and the paws of dogs and other animals.

A poll by insurance.co.uk of 1376 car owners found that British motorists spend more than three years of their lives behind the wheel and over a quarter eat en route every week.

One in four drivers say their car is littered with food wrappers and empty drink bottles, while 16 per cent admit they regularly leave uneaten food in their vehicle.

Half of those surveyed admitted their standards of cleanliness left much to be desired and that they would never let their home get into the same condition as their vehicle.

The poll also showed revealed some startling hygiene calamities some drivers have faced.

Some motorists admitted finding dead mice, dog poo, fishing maggots, a three-year-old sandwich, a joint of beef, a partner's ex's knickers, a used condom, child's vomit in a door pocket, and mushrooms growing in the floor.