How Much Bacteria is on Your Phone? Sanitize with UV Light
Do you know how much bacteria is on your phone? Most people don't give it much thought.
We wake up each day, and the first thing that many of us do is reach over and grab our phones. Morning, noon, and night we're scrolling through our social media feeds, responding to emails, and sending text messages all from our mobile phones.
Studies show that most Americans check their phones up to 96 times a day! It's a tool that we rely on to manage our schedules, check the news, and get weather reports. But as wonderful as this piece of technology is, your cell phone is also a major breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and viruses.
Research has shown that in most cases, these devices can carry up to 10 times more bacteria than our toilets. Serious environmental contaminants like Streptococcus, MRSA, and E. Coli can spread easily from person to person as we touch our faces and different surfaces throughout the day. We pick up germs all the time, which puts you, your family, and everyone else around you at risk of getting sick.
How much bacteria is on your phone screen?
Most of the germs that live on your cell phone won't make you sick. But some bacteria can cause harm if they make it inside of your body. It's no surprise that germs love to hang out on phone screens, especially given how much time we spend touching them.
So how much bacteria is on your phone exactly? A study found that there can be over 25,000 bacteria per square inch! This means that our cell phones are some of the dirtiest objects we come in contact with daily. When we compare this figure to the number of bacteria found on other commonly touched surfaces (i.e., toilet seats, kitchen counters, pet food bowls, store checkout screens, doorknobs, and handles, etc.), you'll see that cell phones take the lead as one of the dirtiest items around:
- Toilet seats: 1,201 bacteria found per square inch
- Kitchen countertops: 1,736 bacteria found per square inch
- Pet food bowls: 2,110 bacteria found per square inch
- Store checkout screens: 4,500 bacteria found per square inch
- Doorknobs: 8,643 bacteria found per square inch
source: mashable.com
So, what does this data tell us? Mobile phones, on average, carry three times the amount of germs and bacteria as doorknobs! That's why it's important to avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth throughout the day.
What kind of bacteria is found on cell phones?
Now that you know how much bacteria is on your phone, let's take a deeper look into the different types of micro-organisms that could be present. Our cell phones have become reservoirs for a host of germs, viruses, and bacteria that cause conditions like the flu and pinkeye. Before you put your mobile phone up to your face again without sanitizing it, let's learn more about some of these nasty bugs.
Coliforms - These organisms are most often found in animal and human feces. They can be present in soil and plants as well. Smaller amounts of the bacteria usually will not make a person sick. But if they are present on your phone, then it's likely other pathogens may be lurking.
Escherichia Coli - Better known as E. Coli, this bacteria is often the culprit for those foodborne outbreaks we hear about in the news. Not all strains of the bacteria are harmful; some can actually be beneficial to your digestive tract. However, the fecal coliform strand can cause severe cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. More serious cases can even lead to death.
Staphylococcus Aureus - This bacteria is dangerous depending on the strain. Some forms of S. aureus bacteria can cause serious skin conditions known as staph infections. Another version of the pathogen, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can also cause highly-contagious and painful skin conditions.
Molds - Surprisingly, mold can also appear on your mobile phone. Long-term exposure can affect your respiratory system causing shortness of breath, stuffy nose, fever, and in some cases, lung infection.
Yeasts - This fungus can live anywhere on your body and can cause intense itching. The good news is that contracting it from your phone is unlikely, although still possible.
Clostridium Difficile - Most commonly referred to as "C. Diff", this bacteria causes diarrhea and other conditions like fever, nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. Usually, the condition affects elderly patients or those that have been using antibiotics for an extended period.
Corynebacterium - This pathogen is responsible for causing diphtheria. The deadly disease coats an infected person's throat and causes breathing difficulties. It usually starts as a cold before additional symptoms appear, including fever, chills, and even heart attacks. The good news is that vaccines are widely available in developing countries. In the United States, the disease is virtually nonexistent.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa - This bacteria has the ability to resist treatment once a person has been infected. The microbe is most commonly found on different gadgets and has a high tolerance for most environments.
How dirty is your cell phone?
Learning how much bacteria is on your phone can be scary, but there are actions you can take to lower your risk of infection. Of course, the best defense against germs is always to make sure you're washing your hands throughout the day.
Another important measure you can take is disinfecting your mobile phone daily. Puritize offers a UV-C Home Sanitizing System that is scientifically proven to be 99.9& effective at killing germs, bacteria, and viruses on all of your personal belongings.
UV light sanitation has been a trusted method used by hospitals and clinics for decades. Puritize has now taken this clinical-grade technology and made it available and affordable to you and your family. Our system is effective at sanitizing everything from cell phones to keys to remote controls. The technology is completely chemical-free, so it's safe to use on all materials.
Super easy to use, the device is large enough to clean multiple items at once but is still small enough to be carried in a handbag when you're on the go. Visit Puritize.com.to learn more and place your order today!