Study reveals the ‘invisible life’ lurking on the average device – including E.Coli from human POO 

Science
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How dirty is YOUR phone? Stomach-chugging study reveals the ‘invisible life’ lurking on the average device – including E.Coli from human POO

  • 100% of smart devices tested tested positive for E.Coli and S.aureus
  • Bacillus cereus and fecal streptococci were among the germs on all screens
  • Taking your phone to the toilet was blamed for some of the germs

By Lauren Haughey

published: | Updated:

Bacteria from both human and cockroach poop are among the secret germs lurking on our phones, experts warn.

E.Coli and fecal strep were found on 100 percent of smartphone screens in a study of the harmful microbes that plague our devices.

food poisoning germ, Bacillus cereus and pneumonia-causing S. aureus were also found on each of 20 swabs from 10 phones.

While none of them showed traces of salmonella, half did contain P. aeruginosa, a substance commonly found in cockroach feces.

SellCell COO Sarah McConomy, who led the study, said: ‘We were interested in finding out how often harmful bacteria appear on our mobile phone screens and which types of bacteria are most prevalent.

Taking your phone to the toilet was blamed for some of the germs found on screens

HEALTH RISKS OF FOUND BACTERIA

E coli

Diarrhoea, vomiting, respiratory infections and even urinary tract and bloodstream infections

Fecal streptococci and enterococci

Diseases of the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and ears. These can also cause urinary tract infections, endocarditis and bacteremia

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)

Skin and soft tissue infections, such as cellulitis, abscesses and boils. If they are more severe, they can develop into bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and even joint infections

Bacillus cereus

Vomiting and diarrhea

Clostridium Perfringens

Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and lethargy

Source: SellCell.com

“The results were really shocking, with many forms of bacteria coming from human feces really showing that people need to deep clean and sanitize their cell phones more often.

“Perhaps the most disturbing thing to see was the presence of P. aeruginosa, a bacteria that comes directly from cockroaches and their poop.

“It’s really disturbing to think of cockroaches crawling all over our phones and even using them as a bathroom when we’re not looking!”

The study tested the phone screens of devices owned by six women and four men between the ages of 22 and 62.

A total of 20 fecal streptococcal and enterococcal colonies were found on the screens tested, which form in the stomach and intestines of both humans and animals.

An additional 20 colonies of S. aureus were also found in samples, posing the risk of respiratory infections, skin infections and even food poisoning.

Taking phones to the bathroom has been blamed for some germs, with researchers claiming you can be exposed in as little as five minutes.

Bacteria become airborne when flushing the toilet and increase the chances of it falling and landing on your phone.

‘We then carry them with us, on our phone screens, out of the toilet and into the rest of our house, where they may even be responsible for spreading disease,” SellCell said.

E.Coli is one of the germs that can be found in the bathroom.

Taking phones to the bathroom has been blamed for some germs, with researchers claiming you can be exposed in just five minutes (stock image)

Taking phones to the bathroom has been blamed for some germs, with researchers claiming you can be exposed in just five minutes (stock image)

While many varieties are completely harmless, the more dangerous species live in fresh feces and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory infections, and even urinary and bloodstream infections.

“Not only is this an unpleasant picture in terms of bacteria living on our cell phones, it also shows that many of us can walk around with our own feces on our screens… screens that we then bring to our faces to calling – yuck,” SellCell added.

Previous research has also shown that smartphones can contain up to 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

This is because over a third of people in the UK admitted to never cleaning their phone, with one in 20 cleaning their phone less than once every six months.

Despite this, SellCell says the amount of bacteria found on these screens is unlikely to be enough to do any real harm.

But it stressed that phone owners should continue to clean and sanitize smartphones with disinfectant wipes, especially after visiting the toilet.

Give your PHONE a spring cleaning with seven essential maintenance steps, expert reveals

While over 93% of UK households do a spring cleaning every year, our smartphones are often neglected due care.

To ensure your electronics stay clean and in the best condition, Amrit Chatha, mobile expert at Mobiles.co.uk, has laid out the basics to ensure you can perform a thorough spring cleaning of your mobile device.

1. Make the screen shine: Amrit explained, “Alcohol wipes are the safest option for cleaning the outside of your phone. Mild soap can also be used with a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching the screen, but be sure to dip the cloth into the product rather than spraying a cleaning solution directly onto the screen.

“When cleaning your screen with any product, avoid openings such as the charging port as they can be damaged by liquid. Once it’s wiped clean, let it air dry.”

2. Dive into the Charging Ports: “Charging ports often collect dust and dirt which can lead to problems charging your phone. It is important not to use any liquids, metal or sharp objects when cleaning the charging port as this may damage the internal hardware.

“Instead, use a soft, dry object, such as a cotton swab, paper towel, or toothpick, to remove built-up dirt with gentle sweeping motions.”

3. Clean up the camera: The camera is a delicate part of the phone and therefore requires special care, but like the rest of the phone it can get dirty and affect the image quality. To do this, you can use a soft camera brush to wipe dust off the lens and prevent scratches.

“If your camera is particularly dirty, it’s safe to use a lens cloth followed by a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining smudges.”

4. Don’t Go Over the Protective Cover: “Phone cases are the easiest step in the cleaning process because you don’t have to worry about any electronic damage. Most phone cases can be cleaned with a cloth or soapy water and allowed to air dry. Use a small brush such as a toothbrush to get into the corners and remove any accumulated dirt.

“Make sure you don’t put the phone case back on the phone until it’s bone dry so water can’t seep into the handset openings.”

Source: Mobiles.co.uk.

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