Shower curtain health warning

NZoom ^ | Feb 19, 2004 | AAP

[yonif]

An invisible, trillions-strong, hoard of microbes may have set up camp in your shower, a scientist is warning.

The bathroom bugs could present a threat to health, especially for vulnerable people with weak immune systems, says Professor Norman Pace, from the University of Colorado.

Just one square inch of the average used vinyl shower curtain could harbour billions of the "soap scum" organisms, he says.

Every time the shower is turned on, water hitting the curtain throws up clouds of bacteria which could fly into the lungs and any open wounds.

Pace discovered the bacteria's hiding place after testing four shower curtains at his laboratory in Boulder, US for genetic fingerprints.

He told the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Seattle: "Soap scum on your shower curtain is a lush bed of microbes. It contains quite robust micro-organisms that can survive for a long time.

"When you turn the shower on, as the water hits the shower curtain it stirs up all those micro-organisms, and you become enmeshed in an aerosol effect."

The scummy films were potential reservoirs of pathogens - harmful bugs especially dangerous to people whose immune systems were not working at full strength.

They should wash their shower curtains every day to avoid a bacterial onslaught, says Pace. A better solution is to fit a glass door which is easier to clean and harder for bacteria to stick to.

"These microbes are all around us, and we've got to be aware of them because they can become a threat," says the professor.

Particularly abundant are two types of bacteria called Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium, which are known to harbour sickness-causing bugs.

The same microbes can also be found on kitchen sponges and cloths, says Pace. He says these should be rinsed and allowed to dry after each use and frequently replaced.

A second study conducted by the team at an indoor swimming pool and hot tub found a plethora of microbes in the air just above the water. The bacteria content of the air here was enriched by up to 60%.

Pace says there may be a connection with a disease called Lifeguard Lung which sometimes afflicts pool workers.

"These findings are a bit scary," he says. "The bottom line is people should be aware of the risk of swimming in indoor pools or sitting in indoor hot tubs."

A similar hazard is posed by a bug called Microbial Avian Complex, or MAC, which is commonly found in potting soil. It essentially works the same way as pool pathogens, but infect indoor gardeners.

[Lunatic Fringe]

[edeal]

I can believe it, my shower curtain is a premordial stew of primitive life.

This story though reminds me of those late night commercials for tooth brush disinfectors. I think living in a compltely sterile environment is more harmful than a natural one.

[Excuse_Me]

This could be series. In fact, I am sure it is hugh! I recommend that if you are hit by one of these microbe swarms that you immediately take a shower to wash it off! In fact, I am going to do that now, so please someone keep me updated on these series events!

[Temple Owl]

Did this come from Onion? Taking showers should be good for one's health.

[angkor]

KRAMER: Jerry, look how tense you are.. You need to take a soak.

JERRY: I'm not taking a soak in that human bacteria frappe you got goin' there.

KRAMER: Come on, I'm tellin' you, it's great. I opened up all the windows.. the air is cold, the tub is boiling hot.. It's like Sweden, man. Sweeeeden!

[Prime Choice]

Okay, 'fess up...who let the hypochondriac out of his cell?

[Temple Owl]

ping

[Batrachian]

I'm not worried. My showers all have glass doors.

[muawiyah]

Should we allow the fungi to eat the bacteria?

[PeteFromMontana]

We're all doomed

[NetValue]

"Just one square inch of the average used vinyl shower curtain could harbour billions of the "soap scum" organisms, he says."

Good God! Not the dreaded soap-scum organism.

[Mr. Mojo]

We're all doomed

Yep

[NetValue]

"Just one square inch of the average used vinyl shower curtain could harbour billions of the "soap scum" organisms, he says."

Good God! Not the dreaded soap-scum organism.

[Cold Heat]

AAAAAAAACCCCCCHHHHHHHHKKKKKKKKKKKK!

[Fiddlstix]

This could be series. In fact, I am sure it is hugh!.....

Yes!
We're Doomed!
Doomed I say!

[Mygirlsmom]

Then the French must be near-immortal.

[CindyDawg]

If you take a shower every day and the water hits the curtain then aren't you already washing the curtain daily? :')_

[Tribune7]

The people of France are cheering this report.

[KevinDavis]

I wonder what is the next big scare????

[chickenlips]

Will wearing my tin foil shower cap protect me?

[Redcloak]

Personally, I was more worried about knife wielding whackos comin' at me though the shower curtain; a moot point since we have a glass shower door. It is, however, a matter of reasonable concern for us FReepers, given how often we find ourselves hitting the showers. In fact, this may be a sort of Al Qaeda bioweapon. By spawning false terror alerts, and the subsequent shower times, they are exposing us to all manner of nasty diseases. And speaking of nasty, moose bites can be nästi, especially if the beast's in the shower with you.

But what I'd really like to know is: Can airborne shower/soap scum bacteria harm a cheese? Of course, if you're keeping cheeses in the bathroom, that's asking for trouble. I mean: Can these vermin find their way to the kitchen? Must I build a dedicated cheese cellar to protect my valuable collection? I know, no one needs to flame me. I'm quite aware that any FReeper worth his salt already has a cheese cellar. I'm saving up for the moose-proof hatch. Sure, living in Southern California, we have less chance of falling victim to cheese-crazed moose herds, but one should still take precautions. Which leads me back to the shower. Does having a shower door, as opposed to a curtain, somewhat relax the timetable for building a cheese cellar? A cheese cellar is more than a simple pit one digs into the ground willy-nilly. A proper cellar takes planning. I simply don't want to be rushed in this!

[RGSpincich]

You gotta work up a resistance to the germ world somehow. Run away from germs and they will own you.

[edeal]

Just don't eat the fun guy, me.

[BunnySlippers]

I was reading just yesterday that it is recommended that you change your shower curtain once a month ... as in buy a new one. And it was not by a shower curtain mfr.

[CommandoFrank]

If this report scares you, the solution is very simple. Stop taking showers and move to France. Nobody there will notice... you'll fit right in.

[cubreporter]

Dell Griffith be afraid...be VERY afraid. :)

[Mannaggia l'America]

I was reading just yesterday that it is recommended that you change your shower curtain once a month ... as in buy a new one.

Once a month would probably work. That plastic stink of a new shower curtain ought to kill bacteria for about a month....

[Billthedrill]

You too? Every time I see Psycho I can't shower comfortably for weeks. I've been looking all over for one of those little wire thingies that you hang off the shower head but I haven't found one yet that will hold a stainless-steel .44 magnum. You'd think somebody would make one, but nooooo...

[Redcloak]

There's a niche market that the lousy Indians won't be horning in on any time soon! If we can make soap on a rope, why not gat on a wire?!?

[SierraWasp]

Didn'tchew hear Rush talkin bout this last week? He was all pist off cause he hasta squeegee his own shower, rather than let his housekeeping staff do it, cause they'll talk if he leaves his shower or toilet messy!!!

He was screamin laffin at this here artickle! What a HOOT!!!

[SierraWasp]

Hay! Chickenlips!! I watched the Mel Gibson movie called "SIGNS" this evening!!!

I seen all three of 'em with TIN FOIL HATS ON!!!

At least they don't rust...

[MarkL]

See!!! That's why I never take a shower... Only baths... In liquid bleach!

Mark

[roadcat]

This story though reminds me of those late night commercials for tooth brush disinfectors. I think living in a compltely sterile environment is more harmful than a natural one.

This reminds me of when my younger daughter was dorming at UCSC a couple years ago, sharing a dorm apartment with 5 other girls. Two of them were real brats, partying every night and leaving their clothing and junk in a mess everywhere. Those girls never pitched in to clean anything. So my daughter used those girls' toothbrushes to scrub the sink, the shower curtain, around the toilet, and then would put them back. Helped put a smile on her face when dealing with them!

[pax_et_bonum]

Nothing to worry about here - I have LOTS of antibodies.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

I wash my shower curtain every week.

It's another one of my mom's quirks that I have brought to adulthood.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

Watch out for common dirt, also. I understand it is FULL of absolutely NASTY organisms. If you swallow a fistful, or snort it, you could get DEATHLY ILL. Sheesh.

[Euro-American Scum]

Every time the shower is turned on, water hitting the curtain throws up clouds of bacteria which could fly into the lungs and any open wounds.

Lawsuit alert! Lawsuit alert!