Given their location underground, subways are a breeding ground for bacteria and harmful germs. A study done by Travel Math found that the subways in New York City had around 2 million CFU. There are multiple surfaces, like plastic hand rails and the plastic grab handles, that need to be wiped down with a Disinfectant Wipe multiple times a day!
Taxis are used daily by millions of people. A study done by NetQuote found that the seat belts in taxis have the most bacteria on them, with up to 26,000 CFU being found (a toilet seat has just around 170 CFU). The door handle and the window operation buttons where the next most contaminated. Taxi companies should take more care in ensuring their customers are riding in properly disinfected vehicles.
The benches at bus stops rarely get cleaned, if ever. The Dirties Cities Index found that benches can have bacteria on them that are the same as those found in sewage. This is because the stagnant water that sits on them quite often breeds non-fermenting gram negative rods, the same type found in sewage water. These types of bacteria can cause infections if they come into contact with an open wound!
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Jon Hodge
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