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- The Metro newspaper conducted a semi-scientific test of touchscreen kiosks in eight McDonald's restaurants in the UK.
- All have been tested positive for different types of bacteria that can cause an infection.
- Public touch screens are known to harbor large amounts of bacteria, although tests also suggest that the average smartphone is not much cleaner.
A new test suggests that you should strive to avoid public touch screens – unless you do not mind having faeces on your fingers or other bacteria causing infections.
the Metro The journal recently conducted a limited study involving the taking of samples from touch screen kiosks located in eight McDonald's restaurants in the UK. All tested samples were positive for some kind of bacteria that could potentially cause an infection.
"We were all surprised by the amount of intestinal and fecal bacteria present on touchscreen machines," said Dr. Paul Matewele, a senior lecturer in microbiology at London Metropolitan University, who contributed to the badysis of samples. Metro. "These cause the type of infections that people contract in hospitals."
Some of the bacteria found were relatively common.
"For example, Enterococcus faecalis is part of the flora of the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans and other mammals," said Matewele. "It is notorious in hospitals to have caused infections acquired at the hospital."
But at least two samples have tested positive for listeria, a rare bacteria found in human and animal excreta that can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.
"Listeria is another rare bacterium that we were shocked to find on touch screen machines, as this can again be very contagious and a problem for people whose immune systems are weakened," said Matewele.
The test also revealed the presence of proteus, klebsiella and staphylococcus bacteria.
How sensitive are touch screens in general?
In short, pretty disgusting. You may have read reports (some more scientific than others) that touch screen kiosks at airports are actually dirtier than the "flush button" of the airplane bathrooms, or similar tests showing that your keyboard is covered with an alarming amount of germs.
But the worst offender is probably in your pocket. Ask yourself what was the last time you used a disinfectant on your smartphone. If you're like most people, it's probably not often enough, according to a study from the University of Arizona that showed smart phones are likely to contain 10 times more bacteria than toilets ordinary. At least that's something you can fix.
When it comes to public touch screens, the solution is simple, but it will take a little effort: always wash your hands after using them – especially if you are about to eat.
A spokesman for McDonald's told the subway: "Our on-demand screens are cleaned frequently throughout the day, and all of our restaurants also offer guests the opportunity to wash their hands before eating."
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