Talking dirty? Not in my house!

February 4, 2009 - 4:33 pm email to a friend

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Dr Bufi

It’s interesting how the cold and flu season seems to be getting a bit longer and longer…and longer. Some experts even claim it reaches beyond April into the month of May. Why is this? Perhaps there are a few little subtleties that have begun to rock the microscopic world. One of these might be the one thing you just cannot put down…your cell phone. Recent research shows your mobile cell phone could be a major health hazard. I would be especially mindful of this for those in any type of cancer treatment.
Millions of people use cell phones. Some statistics claim that cell phone usage has gone from about 34 million Americans in 1996 to more than 200 million in 2008. And most of these users have no idea that their very own cell phone is a bacteria breeding ground. If they do have an awareness to such they simply think, “Those are just my own bacteria, it can’t be that bad.”

According to one report, cell phones have been shown to be more contaminated than shoes, doorknobs, and even toilet seats. What? And most people never think twice about walking in a public restroom and then walking on their home or office carpet without first cleaning the soles of their shoes. Shoes transport a tremendous amount of bacteria and foul matter into homes and offices.

Actually, when you stop and think about the many places your cell phone goes, besides your pocket, purse or briefcase, you can begin to understand the big nature of the little beast. Some have reported findings that there are literally tens of thousands of live bacteria on each square inch of a cell phone. One type frequently found includes Staphylococcus aureus, or simply “Staph”, which can cause skin rash, pimples, pneumonia, and even meningitis.

And…have you ever dropped your cell phone? Any accidental drops in some yucky places like the toilet? It happens! Do you ever set your cell phone on the counter in a public bathroom or on top of some other surface you should maybe think twice about? Mobile cell phones are handled frequently and are then held close to the face. That’s just great…if you are a microbial looking for a gala event!!

The most disturbing fact of all is that the really harmful bacteria are coming from our very own skin. The bacteria on our faces and hands contribute to the deposit and breeding of Staph infections, and their many next of kin. Some researchers, but not all, also worry about the constant heat generated by the cell phone that can cause bacteria to grow and divide at an appalling rate. Since it appears that most people walk around with their cell phone turned on this heat may further contribute to the overall problem (some experts think the warmth of the cell phone may actually kill the bacteria). So, the combination of constant cell phone handling and possibly the heat generated by the cell phone creates a prime breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria normally found on our skin (normal flora). Cell phones are also contaminated from underneath the cases we keep on them. Facial oils can get stuck under the case and this natural oil creates even more of a breeding ground for bacteria.

Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake City ran some test samples collected at a shopping mall. Bacterial samples were collected from cell phones and restrooms at random, for comparisons. Samples were incubated for bacterial growth. All of the cell phones tested showed levels of bacteria. According to microbiologist Amy Jo Karren of Nelson Labs “The women’s phones had much more bacteria on them, however it is the kind of bacteria that is found in lotion and makeup and is not generally the kind that can make you sick”. Furthermore, the testing of the men’s phones showed a different story. Many of the men’s samples showed very small amounts of bacteria but, according to Amy Jo Karren, “The kinds of bacteria found on the men’s phones are the kind that are potentially dangerous, the kind that can make you sick”. The testing of several of the men’s phones showed evidence of staph, salmonella, even E. coli bacteria found in fecal matter. And test run from the urinal in the men’s room showed a large amount of the same kinds of bacteria that were found in the tests of the men’s cell phones. All this reported can say to that is, “Hey guys, wash up!”

There are no scientific studies that I know of that would suggest that cell phones are a major public health problem. Yet it just makes sense that our cell phones would be great conduits for bacteria. If I use my cell phone and I have a cold or flu and you need to borrow my phone, then I have just passed the cold or flu on to you. And some bacteria can be dangerous for those with a weakened immune system.

Here are some tips from various experts to minimize any risk of infection:

1. Be sure to clean your phone with an anti-bacterial wipe on a regular basis (obviously avoiding the charging port and the battery). Wipe under the case too.

2. Use the wipes for the grocery cart inside your local supermarket.

3. Use your hands free or speaker phone options when ever possible.

4. Use anti-bacterial wipes to clean off your land line phones as well.

5. Wash your hands. Washing your hands is a great way to reduce all sorts of infections from bathroom use, cooking in the kitchen or just even shaken hands with somebody.

6. Some companies are actually coming out now with germ-resistant cell phones. This claims to have a coating that will inhibit bacteria and mold growth.

7. Some nano-technology spray is now used to create a special coat around the cell phone thus allowing it to remain clean and repel the unwanted particles.

8. Keep your phone to yourself and clean it frequently with anti-bacterial wipes.

Society is ceaselessly moving towards new technology and more people are becoming a part of it all so more health risks are most likely inevitable. Your cell phone is convenient, handy, useful, productive, and social. It also turns out to be one of the dirtiest things you have.

I think I am just going to get a set of designer semaphore flags.

Oh, say can I borrow your cell phone? I gotta make a quick call…

-Dr. Bufi

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