Scientists say most sinks teeming with potentially deadly germs

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

Sinks are "hotspots" for potentially deadly germs, warns new research.

Dangerous microbes that can cause illnesses including Legionnaires’ disease, pneumonia and wound infections can quickly build up near drains and taps, according to the study.

Hand washing is important – but keeping sinks clean is just as crucial as they may harbor dangerous bacteria, say scientists.

The study by Flinders University researchers in Australia found handbasin biofilms contained several bacteria including microbes typically found in water, and other pathogens not found in water.

Lead researcher Claire Hayward said: “The study also found that residential handbasins have a more diverse bacterial community present on handbasin biofilms compared with hospitals.

“There was also a higher number of Legionella bacteria present in the residential samples compared with those taken from hospitals.”

She explained that Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria, found in natural bodies of water, spas, warm water systems, potting mix and air-conditioning.

A system that used water for cooling was linked to a major outbreak in Melbourne, Australia, recently which affected almost 90 people and caused two deaths.

Hayward, a doctoral candidate in environmental health, explained that biofilms - a slimy substance found on drains and around the tap of handbasins - contain a community of microbes including disease-causing pathogens that can pose a threat to human health.

She said the pathogens are likely transferred to the biofilm from patients or staff during handwashing, from incoming water supply or biological waste.

The study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, compared biofilms in hospital and residential handbasins to assess infection risk levels and possible routes of contamination.

Hayward said: “The difference in the diversity of the microbial communities could be due to more regular cleaning, usage and the design of basins in hospitals through the implementation of healthcare infection control practices.

“This poses a risk to patients receiving healthcare in the home which has been emerging as an alternative to extensive inpatient hospital stays to reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

“Patients receiving healthcare in the home need to be informed of infection control practices such as cleaning handbasin outlets and drains using effective disinfectants."

She added: “Biofilms formed in the faucet and drains of handbasins can potentially harbor pathogenic microbes and increase the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

“In both settings, we found a high abundance of pathogenic and corrosive germs, including some not typically carried in water.

“These complex and diverse microbial communities also differed depending on building type and indicate hospitals also need more control guidelines to manage these under-recognized areas of potential infection.”

Cleaning handwashing basins up to twice a day with detergent along with other high-touch surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs and bedrails with the same frequency is recommended by The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare.