How often do you clean the interior of your car, and more importantly, how well do you do it? Had an interesting chat last week with a very clever microbiologist who said every centimetre of the cabin is a potential haven for harmful bacteria and should be scrubbed once a week. Air vents, door handles, seat cushions, floor mats and regularly used switches are all known to harbour germs such as Bacillus Cereus and Staphylococcus, which are associated with food poisoning, skin infections and vomiting.
The story came out in the same week Government scientists revealed legionella, the microbe that causes the lethal Legionnaire’s Disease, can grow in the screenwash reservoir. Dr Anthony Hilton is a microbiology expert from Birmingham’s Aston University. He said: “Although many strains of bacteria are harmless, some can cause unpleasant illnesses. People would be horrified at the prospect of eating from a toilet seat. They ought to be aware that eating from a contaminated car may represent the same health hazards.” A 2008 study by Dr Hilton found the potentially lethal E.Coli living in
cars.
Do you eat in your car when you park up? I know I do, and 70 per cent of drivers admit to the same. Makes you think doesn’t it?
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