There are at least 17 types of harmful bacteria on clean paper towels

At least 17 types of bacteria are detected on paper towels, the most common being Bacillus causing food poisoning.

Recently, Laval University in Quebec City (Canada) published a new study in the Journal of US Infection Control, confirming that bacteria can proliferate and develop on paper products, even if paper towels are clean. use. Therefore, some bacteria can infect humans after they wipe their hands with a paper towel.

There are at least 17 types of harmful bacteria on clean paper towels

The study was conducted on six tissue brands sold in Canada. The results show that all have bacteria. At least 17 types of bacteria are found on paper towels, most commonly Bacillus bacteria can infect people and cause food poisoning when they use paper towels.

Thanks to good resistance to chemical and physical agents, Bacillus spores can survive many paper production processes.

The scientists noted that Bacillus strains were also found in many paper factories. Paper towels made from recycled paper are often the most heavily contaminated, 100-1000 times more than paper towels made of pure wood pulp. The reason is that bacteria can proliferate on recycled paper thanks to the source of starch paper.

In the past, there have been no studies of bacterial contamination from unused paper towels to humans and other surfaces.Scientists note that their work is not intended to confirm that paper towels are unsafe, but note that in certain environments, tissues may become an undesirable source of bacterial infection.

For example, research shows that tissues can be dangerous in industrial environments or clinics for people with immune system disorders.