Common places where GERMS LURK!

I recently read and article in Real Simple magazine and I wanted to share the data that was written with all my MOMS out there! These numbers represent colony forming units (CFUs) per square inch. A CFU is a measurement of a microbial organism. The surfaces tested in this study contained everyday bacteria; most of which are not harmful to healthy people, and have no traces of serious germs, like E. coli.


Store shopping cart: 2
Restaurant restroom door handle: 4
Children’s library book: 7
Stuffed toy in a doctor’s office: 8
School desk surface: 12
School computer mouse: 23
Store floor: 33
Public park swing: 59
Restaurant tray: 204
School musical instrument: 262
Video game controller in an arcade: 551
Public park sandbox: 7,440
Classroom faucet handle: 32,000
Cafeteria water fountain spigot: 62,000

Just another reason to keep hand sanitizer handy at all times!

(Research was performed by NSF International Swab Testing, with thanks to Greta Houlahan and Robin Bechanko; article courtesy of Real Simple Magazine)