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What is the health risk of our showerheads?
Most people shower several times a week to improve their personal hygiene. For many, it will be surprising that contaminants in showerheads can also transmit harmful bacteria to users, which can then lead to various diseases.
Researchers at the University of Colorado have discovered in their current research that people under their showers are sometimes exposed to deadly bacteria. The experts published the results of their study in the English magazine "mBio".
Health professionals have examined the bacteria in our showerheads
The researchers examined the bacteria in our shower heads for their study. Most microbes are harmless, but there are some dangerous exceptions, says author of the study, Noah Fierer, of the University of Colorado. Microbes of the genus Mycobacterium were of particular interest to the experts. For example, this group of bacteria can cause leprosy and tuberculosis. In addition, the bacteria studied also included nearly 200 other common species in our environment. These bacteria are found in the soil, dust and tap water. Together, they are called non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs). Such bacteria grow in colonies in a gooey and mildew-like manner. As a result, NTM can hide in the dirtiest areas of your bathroom, such as the edges of your sink and showerhead.
The DNA of 656 biofilm shower samples was examined
It is important to understand the routes of exposure to mycobacteria, especially at home, says author of the study, Matt Gebert, of the University of Colorado. To do this, scientists examined the DNA of 656 biofilm samples from domestic showers and baseline data on water chemistry for each source. As they suspected, the badysis of NCDs was not lacking, although large differences arose, depending on the region in which the samples were taken and the sources of water used.
The genus Mycobacterium was found most often
The badyzes revealed that the genus Mycobacterium was consistently the most abundant genus of bacteria found in home showers. Mycobacteria were more prevalent in US households than in European households. Experts suspect that this is due to the differences between the chemicals used to purify the water. Chlorine is more commonly used in the United States, but NCDs tend to become resistant to this type of disinfectant.
Metal showerheads were more contaminated
Curiously, more NCDs were found in metal shower heads, while plastic ones contained a more diverse microbiome. This may be due to chemicals in the plastic that retain mycobacteria, the researchers said. The team found that in areas of the United States where the prevalence of lung disease related to NCD was most prevalent, shower head microbiomes also contained more NCDs. For now, however, the results of the team show only a correlation and no causal link. Additional inquiries should now focus on this topic. (As)
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