The dirtiest part of the airport revealed and it ISN'T the toilet – every passenger touches it | The Sun

YOU might think that the toilets are the dirtiest place in an airport, and for obvious reasons.

However, research has shown that another place has far more germs than the public bathrooms, due to the number of passengers that pass through it.

An article published in 2018 showed the findings of an investigation into the presence of respiratory virus pathogens in a major airport.

The research was carried out to learn how to "identify risk points and guide measures to minimize transmission."

While the toilets are a clear first choice when considering where the dirtiest part of an airport might be, the research showed that passengers should be more concerned about washing their hands after visiting the security gates.

The study, carried out at an airport in Finland during peak flu season between 2015-16, revealed that plastic security trays are actually the worst spot for germs in an airport.

Read More on Airports

Huge queues hit Heathrow & Stansted Airports as travellers face school holiday hell

I’m fuming after we were stranded for TWO DAYS waiting for TUI flight

This is because it is "almost inevitable" that every passenger will have to touch one of them on their way from the entrance to their plane.

Adding to their potential for holding onto germs is the fact that plastic surfaces are known to be areas of "prolonged virus survival".

The researchers said: "Security procedures are an obligatory step for all departing passengers, and each security tray is rapidly recycled and potentially touched by several hundred passengers per day.

"Also, plastic security trays are non-porous and virus survival is known to be prolonged."

Most read in Travel

SPARK OUT

Major warning to Brits as popular Spanish hotspot bans smoking TODAY

NOT SO EASY

EasyJet strikes start TODAY – find out if your flight is affected

TRAVEL HELL

Live flight cancellations as Brits face utter carnage at Heathrow

SUNBED SHAME

Influencer divides opinion for hogging sunbed at 6am on holiday

The researchers said that the security trays are not routinely disinfected, as far as they were aware.

They recommended "offering hand sanitization with alcohol handrub before and after security screening" in order to reduce the chances of people picking up viruses at airports.

Airport check-in machines have also been found to be sources of germs.

There are other "virus hot-zones" worth avoiding, according to this doctor.

    Source: Read Full Article

    Previous post Bloke who built ‘cheeky’ £1million castle ‘dismantles’ it after planning battle
    Next post Urgent weather warning ahead of July 4 weekend with experts urging Americans to make a plan B for holiday travel plans | The Sun