Bacterial spinner
According to the study, this accessory is a hygiene disaster
© Drobot Dean / Adobe Stock
We reveal which item many people carry on their bodies every day and which should be cleaned more regularly from now on…
Basically, smartwatches should promote health and not harm it. But current research has shown that certain materials on smart and fitness watch bracelets harbor pretty nasty bacteria after a certain period of wear. In a worrying way Study conducted at the Florida Atlantic University American researchers found pathogenic bacteria on 95 percent of the bracelets examined – some of which could even be dangerous.
Plastic, fabric and leather etc.
The study leader and lead author Nwadiuto Esiobu and her research team examined different materials. They wanted to find out which materials are quickly attacked by bacteria and which are not. For example, rubber, plastic and fabric as well as leather and various precious metals were tested.
Samples were taken from a variety of bracelets and we looked at how the bacteria were distributed. And the result is actually not surprising. Plastic and rubber bracelets did not fare particularly well. In comparison, significantly fewer bacterial foci were detected on gold and silver. The most common pathogens they found were staphylococci, pseudomonads and Enterobacteriaceae.
Regular cleaning is important
Esiobu and her team came to the conclusion, among other things, that many people lack the regular cleaning process. Ideally, users should clean their devices daily and get used to a cleaning routine. “The number and type of bacteria we found on the wristbands indicate that these surfaces need to be cleaned regularly,” Esiobu said in the study report.
Anyone who does a lot of exercise with their smartwatch or fitness bracelet needs to pay particular attention to thorough cleaning. A difference between the number of bacteria on the devices in men and women could not be determined within the study.
Anyone working in this professional field should be particularly thorough…
In fact, the study points out that nurses and people working in medical fields in particular should clean their smartwatches and fitness bracelets particularly thoroughly. Many bacteria such as staphylococci, E. coli and salmonella have been found specifically in these areas. For patients who are already sick in hospitals or residents with a weak immune system in nursing facilities, for example, just a few bacteria can be dangerous.
This is how you can clean your smartwatch
Conventional disinfectant or 70 percent alcohol are said to be the best cleaning products users can use to thoroughly clean their device. 99.99 percent of bacteria are removed in just 30 seconds. “Apple cider vinegar was not as effective and required a full exposure time of two minutes to reduce bacterial counts.”
Sources used: fau.edu, br.de, t3n.de