Experiment shows why you MUST wipe down baby changing stations in public restrooms 

A new experiment will make parents think before using a public baby changing table.

TikToker’how dirty isperformed a swab on a plastic table in a public restroom and found that the wall installation was riddled with bacteria.

Incubated samples grew two different microbes, likely from microscopic water droplets sprayed from flushing toilets.

While the video does not specify which bacteria were found at the station, previous work has found feces, salmonella, listeria and norovirus, all of which can make a child very sick.

However, parents can avoid the germs by spraying the station with sanitary napkins and placing a disposable changing pad on the plastic table before putting their baby down.

TikToker ‘howdirtyis’ performed a swab on a plastic table in a public restroom and found that the wall installation was riddled with bacteria.

The ‘expert’ changed the entire station sheet and wiped down two Petri dishes with the samples – one of which was to isolate any bacteria.

The dishes were then placed in an incubator, but for how long is unknown.

The video has more than 1,300 comments. Many are parents who share how they handle the publicly used stations.

One user said they carry Lysol wipes in their diaper bag and wipe down the changing table before using it.

Others say use a changing pad, but experts warn that reusable sanitary napkins take your child’s stool and bacteria home and suggest using only disposable ones.

The ‘expert’ changed the entire drive bay. Even the cotton swab was dirty after they took samples

Spray from flushing toilets can travel a radius of 20 feet in any direction, and changing tables are usually located in one of the stalls.

The bacteria doesn’t just come from a toilet; it can be left from the last baby put on the table.

Some people believe that germs are key to a baby’s immune system development, but diaper changing stations have led to multiple outbreaks — one 2007 outbreak in Florida made 46 children sick.

And in 2013, a norovirus outbreak in Oregon was linked to baby changing tables.

TikToker’s account is full of bacteria experiments requested by their followers.

And one of them had asked to clean a baby changing table.

Indiana mom Jessica Wayman, 24, in 2018 revealed the shocking truth behind the black marks left on a baby’s changing table in a public parent’s room — they’re burnt spoons left behind from drug use

The incident happened at a car dealership where 12 of the 16 employees fell ill.

Investigation led to a sick baby leaving bacteria on a changing table at the dealership.

However, an employee tried to clean up the mess, but was not wearing gloves.

Kimberly Repp, the Washington County epidemiologist, swept the station clean and found it to be contaminated with norovirus.

In addition to bacteria, experts have also found traces of narcotics on the plastic tables.

A 2011 test of more than 100 units — including facilities in public restrooms, shopping malls, police stations, courts and churches — found that 92 percent of them had traces of cocaine on them.

In 2018, a mother revealed the shocking truth behind the black marks left on a baby’s changing table in a public parent’s room.

Jessica Wayman, 24, who is from Indiana, took to social media to share a seemingly innocuous photo of the kids’ dressing room.

The table has what appear to be everyday scuff marks on its surface – but, as Wayman revealed, the reason behind it is much more glaring than you think.

“Always wipe them off before putting your babies near these things. Even if you’re in a hurry, even if you have a blanket lying around,” Wayman warned.

‘See the black spots? Those are from burnt spoons. [Drug] addicts use these as tables as they shoot up.

“There could be residues of heroin or meth whatever, and other harmful bodily fluids. If someone doesn’t care about themselves, I can promise you they don’t think about your children. Be attentive.’

Wayman is also a recovering addict and hopes to warn parents around the world about the potential dangers of not properly cleaning the area before use.