A new survey has reignited the debate about smartphone cleanliness, suggesting our beloved devices might be harbouring more germs than a toilet seat. While the exact numbers vary, the study highlights the importance of practicing good phone hygiene to minimise potential health risks.
A survey by MattressNextDay found that most smartphones harbour Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria that can cause infection.This bacteria is also commonly found in cockroach droppings, highlighting the potential health risks of neglecting smartphone hygiene.
Another survey by NordVPN revealed that smartphones can harbour up to 10 times more germs than toilet bowls. This is particularly concerning as many people carry their phones into bathrooms, exposing them to bacteria that can cause urinary bladder infections and other digestive system complications.
The survey revealed that nearly 50 million people in the UK sleep with their phones nearby, highlighting smartphones’ central role in daily life. 74% of these individuals admit they can’t sleep without their devices. This habit exposes people to bacteria and disrupts sleep quality. Blue light emitted from smartphone screens interferes with melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Melatonin is released in response to darkness, helping synchronise your body’s internal clock.
A survey also revealed that a significant number of people neglect to clean their smartphones regularly, with 51% admitting they’ve never cleaned their devices and 10% cleaning them only once a year. This lack of hygiene can lead to the accumulation of harmful bacteria that can be transferred to the skin, bedsheets, and potentially cause respiratory infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
