Last Updated on January 7, 2021
© PinterestConsidering the number of people who are constantly walking in airports and sharing seats on planes daily, it is obvious that there is an enormous amount of germs everywhere, which is why you should be a lot more cautious.
However, most germs you encounter in the airports and flights are not dangerous, except if you have an open wound or an immune deficiency.
After a few experiments and studies, experts were capable to find out where germs are mostly located and the places where people should be more careful. Don’t ever be ashamed to do a quick wipe-down before you touch anything because your health always comes first.
The Tray Table
Back in 2015, a microbiologist from Travel Math (a travel calculation site) went to five different airports and four flights to collect over 25 samples from different surfaces. The place that has the highest amount of germs was the tray table.
He found more than 265 colony-building units for every square inch in the lavatory flush button, while there are 2,155 colony-building units for every square inch in the tray table!
The microbiologist also discovered that there are not fecal coliforms, like E. Coli, but according to Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, those tray tables could contain cold viruses, the bacteria MRSA, and norovirus.
Water Fountain Buttons
Travel Math also found that the water fountain buttons are also one of the germiest places in the airport with over 1,240 colony-building units per square inch.
It actually has more colony-forming units than a bathroom stall lock that has only 70 colony-building units per square inch due to the cleaning staff who regularly wash these spots, thankfully.
