How Dangerous Is The Inside Of Your Car?

Monday, 5. July 2010

I have warned before about the unhealthy state of steering wheels. Often when people clean their cars they completely forget the steering wheel, considered to hold more germs than a toilet but a new report from the Government’s Health Protection Agency suggests that there is much more to worry about. They have found that legionella, the microbe that causes lethal Legionaire’s disease, breeds in stagnant and untreated windscreen washer water. Inside the car, investigations found Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus bugs that cause food poisoning, vomiting and skin infection. The investigation, carried out for Halfords, also found germs in air vents, door handles, seat cushions, floor mats as well as switches. E.Coli also lives in air con systems. Dr Anthony Hilton, a microbiology expert from Birmingham’s Aston University said ‘People would be horrified at the prospect of eating from a toilet seat. They ought to be aware that eating from a contaminated dashboard may represent the same health hazards.’ Surprisingly, Halfords recommend that you vacuum the car weekly and then use a car cleaning product. Even more surprising is the fact that the report didn’t mention the steering wheel which has to be the dirtiest part of the car. What do you think? By Graham Hill