Bag-Teriology 101
Most people carry a bag of some sort. Be it a purse, handbag, tote, backpack, gym bag, or briefcase, bags help us organize and transport our daily “stuff”. Wherever we go, the bag goes with us.
Problem is, the bag is not just a carry-all.
It’s a carrier.
Of germs.
Where Has It Been?
The same briefcase that sits on the floor at work gets tossed on the kitchen counter later in the day. The backpack that rested on the bus or subway seat lands on the table at home to retrieve books and papers. And where did you set your bag in the restroom at the restaurant?
That might be a sobering thought…
The point is, we wouldn’t think of setting our shoes on a table or counter that we might eat from. But handbags and briefcases often go everywhere our shoes go, so we need to think of them the same way.
The “Ewww” Factor
Studies have been done on bag-bacteria, of course. One done at Nelson Labs in Salt Lake City reported that four out of five handbags tested positive for salmonella. Not only that, microbiologist Amy Karen said that nearly all of the bags tested high in harmful bacteria:
- Pseudomonas that can cause eye infections,
- Staphylococcus aurous that can cause serious skin infections,
- Salmonella and E Coli were also found on the handbags1
Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, also conducted a study on women’s purses. He sent a health team to a local mall to take samples from the bottoms of 50 women’s bags. The lab results were shocking: 1 out of 4 of the handbags tested positive for E Coli. Other serious bacteria showed up as well, including hepatitis.2
No Need To Panic
While these studies are serious in nature, Dr. Yvonne Braver of the Cleveland Clinic warns against over-reacting. “You just need to be smart about where you put your personal objects,” she says.
You don’t want to become a nervous germ-aphobe but you do need to exercise some common sense. Here are some tips to cut down on the chance of contamination from a bag that might lead to a cold, flu or infection:
- Leather or vinyl bags tend to be cleaner than cloth ones.
- Whatever bag you use, clean it out and wipe it down or launder it regularly.
- Always hang the bag on a hook in the restroom or keep hold of it. Don’t put it on the floor!
- Stash your bag in a drawer at work or on the back of a chair in a restaurant.
- Do not set bags on counters or tables at home or anywhere food might be prepared or eaten.
- Teach children not to set backpacks on food surfaces.
- Wash backpacks and lunch boxes regularly and wipe down your purse or briefcase with a disinfectant wipe once a week.
- Most important – wash your hands often and use an antibacterial hand sanitizer as needed.
There’s no need to be totally germ-proof, but a little caution can go a long way in preventing illness.
As always, consult your personal physician before making any changes to your regular diet, exercise or supplement routine.
Take care until next time.
Sources:
- Wolinski, Kim, “How Clean Is Your Purse, Tote or Briefcase?”, Wellsphere.com, 9/14/09
- Fenzel, John, “STUDY: Harmful Bacteria Found on Purses and Briefcases”, johnfenzel.typepad.com, 1/13/07
About the Author
Dr. Blankstein has been practicing for over 30 years as a leading Cardiologist. Trained in traditional medicine and Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, he knows the importance of good medical care. This consideration has allowed him to discover safe and natural ways of healing. His dedication to bringing the latest and best in health solutions to his patients and the public has given him the experience to research and develop proven natural remedies for many illnesses.
© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals
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