Your Sink Could Expose You to 2 Types of Deadly Bacteria

Putting hair, soap and dead skin down the sink doesn't just cause blockages, but can potentially pose a deadly threat. Researchers at the University of East Anglia reveal they create dangerous "biofilms" that make the perfect environment for microbes to thrive. Biofilms are thin layers of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, diatoms and algae, that stick together. They like to grow on moist, nutrient-rich surfaces such as the bathroom blockages caused by hair, soap sulphates and oils.

Salmonella could get into the drain while washing chicken or E.coli could build-up from ground beef. Hair and dead skin could give rise to Fusarium solani, which could cause permanent vision damage.

While urinary tract infections are also a possibility, as some studies have detected Enterobacter cloacae in water pipes connecting to the plughole.

If left untreated, these can harbour E. coli and salmonella, which can then become airborne and pass up through the plughole into the home. This can compromise our immune systems and could potentially be life-threatening. However it usually results in diarrhoea.

Only a trickle of water is needed to then allow the bugs to make their way into sinks and bathtubs, where they can infect humans.

Source-Medindia