In a recent study conducted by a team of researchers, it has been found that recycled water bottles contain more bacteria than toilet seats.
The study, which was published in the journal “Water Research”, highlights the potential health risks associated with reusing water bottles. The researchers collected samples from 12 different brands of water bottles that had been reused by athletes for a week.
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Researchers found two main types of bacteria present in the samples: Gram-negative rods and Bacillus.
They found that the water bottles had an average of 330,000 colony-forming units (CFUs) per square centimeter of bacteria. In comparison, a typical toilet seat has an average of only 172 CFUs per square centimeter.
The bacteria found in the water bottles included a wide range of types, including those associated with skin infections, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses. The study also found that the presence of bacteria increased as the number of times the water bottle was reused increased.
“More surprisingly, the average reusable water bottle was 40,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat,” researchers said in their findings.
So what should you do to avoid these bacteria?
The researchers suggest that the increased levels of bacteria in recycled water bottles are likely due to the fact that they are not being properly cleaned or sterilized between uses.
They recommend that people use disposable water bottles or wash and sterilize their reusable water bottles thoroughly after each use to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination.
The findings of this study are particularly concerning given the growing trend towards using reusable water bottles as a more environmentally friendly option. However, the researchers hope that their study will raise awareness about the importance of proper cleaning and sterilization of water bottles to minimize the potential health risks associated with their use.
