Whether they use it for keeping up-to-date while they are on the go, or for logging their body’s movements, many people swear by their smartwatch. According to Business of Apps, around 229 million people wear Apple Watches and 120 wear Fitbits. But do all these people ever wonder about the bacteria that builds up on the strap of these gadgets that are wrapped around their wrist day in day out? The New York Post has reported on a study’s alarming findings that will make you want to douse your favourite digital accessory in disinfectant.
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Who carried out this study?
The study was carried out by Florida Atlantic University researchers and appears in the science journalAdvances in Infectious Diseases. You can see where this is going. They tested wrist straps of different materials including rubber, plastic, cloth, leather and metal. Their goal? To find out how the type of material impacted the bacteria found on the strap. Their findings? A whopping 95% of the wristbands in their sample were contaminated with dangerous bacteria.
What kind of bacteria did they find?
Staphylococcus spp, which causes staph infections, popped up in 85% of the samples. 60% had E. coli bacteria and 30% carried Pseudomonas spp, which is usually not serious but can be deadly in those with a weakened immune system.
The highest levels of bacteria - specifically, of Staphylococcal - were found on the wristbands that had been worn during intense exercise.
🦠 Florida Atlantic University finds bacterial growth to be common on cloth, plastic and rubber wristbands of popular gadgets
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 17, 2023
https://t.co/Q1CJTgfMJh
Read more:This is why you should wear only clean socks to bed
What material contained the most bacteria?
While vigorous exercise certainly had an impact on the results, the biggest predictor of bacteria was actually the material of the wrist strap. The porous cloth, rubber and plastic straps came in at first place with a whole lot of bacteria, while metal straps contained ‘little to no bacteria’, as the New York Post reports.
The scientists who carried out the report spelled it out very simply:
the trend of bacteria load was cloth ≥ plastic ≥ rubber ≥ leather > metal
The study also stated that there was no noticeable difference between smart watches worn by men and those worn by women. What it did show, is that the proud owners of these stylish gadgets should absolutely part with them regularly for a good clean.
Nwadiuto Esiobu, Professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology at Florida Atlantic University, told FAU News Desk that ‘the quantity and taxonomy of bacteria we found on the wristbands show that there is a need for regular sanitation of these surfaces’:
Even at relatively low numbers, these pathogens are of public health significance.
You heard the professor. Happy disinfecting!
Read more:
⋙ How to Disinfect a Cloth Mask Without a Washing Machine
⋙ Here's the very real reason why you should clean your microwave more often
Sources used:
New York Post: Apple Watch, Fitbit wristbands carry shocking levels of bacteria: experts
