What part of your vehicle has the most germs?
If you were asked where inside your vehicle you could find the most germs, you would probably answer the steering wheel, the cup holders or even the selector or the gear lever, parts which are the more likely to come into contact with hands or various contaminants. You would be wrong!
According to a British study carried out by Scrap Car Comparison, an average vehicle would be dirtier and contain more germs than an average toilet. The media has teamed up with Dr. Jonathan Cox, a microbiologist from the University of Aston, England, to determine which parts of a vehicle have the most germs.
To do this, they analyzed a series of used vehicles ranging in age from 2 to 17 years. They looked at six different regions for each vehicle and compared the results. The result is quite impressive and reveals that the vehicles contain a panoply of bacteria.
Surprisingly, the study revealed that the trunk is the most problematic with 1425 different bacteria identified. This is probably explained by the fact that we often carry dirty objects and food there when we do the grocery shopping; moreover, many people neglect the maintenance of the trunk.
Here are the results :
1) Trunk with 1,425 types of bacteria identified
2) Driver’s seat with 649 types of bacteria identified
3) Lever or gear selector with 407 types of bacteria identified
4) Back seat with 323 types of bacteria identified
5) Dashboard with 317 types of bacteria identified
6) Steering wheel with 146 types of bacteria identified
The test also shows that, with age, a vehicle accumulates dirt and germs, despite maintenance. Dr. Cox mentioned that it was interesting to see that there is a direct correlation between the age of the vehicle and the number of bacteria found inside. All of this suggests that the longer you own a vehicle, the dirtier it becomes despite maintenance.
The microbiologist mentions that it is important to pay attention to the interior maintenance of your vehicle. Experts suggest cleaning the interior as frequently as the exterior of the vehicle and, above all, not neglecting the contact points and the trunk. Occasional deep cleaning is also recommended.
Don’t just rely on visuals. A dirt and dust free surface does not mean it is bacteria free. It is important to use appropriate products to destroy germs.
