Pemex potty stop? Study confirms your worst fears about public potties

link: http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/19/8402117-dont-to...

By Bill Briggs
No. 1: A new study on the germ orgies going down in America’s public restrooms truly puts the “P” in repulsive, repugnant and “Hey, how awesome are my Depends?”

No. 2: If you can, maybe just hold it until you get home.




Yes, we’re talking about relieving those two basic bodily functions and doing so in some of most bacteria-bedecked spaces anywhere. As long suspected, bathroom surfaces in U.S. restaurants, airplanes, stores, hospitals and other busy locales are often heavily contaminated with illness-causing microbes – and, in some cases, the bug colonies are even too large to measure, according to a paper to be presented Friday to the Infectious Diseases Society of America in Boston.

“I was surprised (at the sheer quantity of creepy crawlies) but, at same time, I wasn’t surprised because people use these things and people touch things,” said Dr. Lennox Archibald, an epidemiologist at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine.

“It does make you step back a bit and stake stock of the whole hand-hygiene thing,” added Archibald, who will present the findings. “And yes, it could make one paranoid.”

From December 2010 through last February, Archibald and his colleagues swabbed and cultured faucets, paper-dispenser levers, and door handles inside the bathrooms of four aircraft and 18 other crowded spots such as fast-food restaurants. Names of the businesses were not released. Among the types of microscopic critters commonly discovered were staphylococcus (which can cause fevers and chills) and bacillus (which can cause diarrhea).

“For several restrooms, the quantity of microorganisms was too numerous to count,” Archibald’s paper reports. “…To date, there have been virtually no quantitative or qualitative assessments of the range of bacteria contaminating public restrooms.”

Given these invisible fecal fests, should we simply cross our legs, squeeze our thighs and endure the pain instead of accessing public restrooms?

“If you have to use it, you have to use it,” Archibald said. “You just have to be careful where you touch after you wash your hands.” Ideally, public bathrooms should be stocked with paper towels so that your skin needn't come into contact with anything yucky.

Then again, he added: “You can wash your hands till the cows come home. (If we swab your freshly scrubbed palms and culture the results), you are going to grow something.”

Bill Briggs is a frequent contributor to msnbc.com and author of “The Third Miracle.”

Seems like there is a huge "Duh" factor in all this, but you have to be exposed to SOME microbes less your immune system fall into disrepair. I personally am pretty careful, but NEVER to my knowledge in 73 years have I "picked anything up" in a public restroom-----------(knock on wood) and have never resorted to any supplimental anti-septical practices, etc.

(what a grim subject)

Barry

Goat----------as you know, the Chinese learned the wisdom (in this case only) of your words centuries ago.

Barry

So...Where's that bathroom?

I know it ain't in Mexico because it comes with its own supply of TP.

do you prefer i get shots upon entering or exiting? or should i surprise you? this might actually end up being fun!

here's one to start with....

I've watered and fertilized more cardons and cholas than I can remember!! The look on Dra. Bajabass's face as she exits keeps me out of Pemex potties.

I travel with a cabover w/full facilities. At least when I sit down I know the microbes are mine.

I've been in several Baja rest rooms. They haven't made enough Lysol spray or wipes to handle those places.

Yea! What we need is a guide for the best Banos in Baja. We'll plan our adventure around the Port-a-lets!

My next trip to Baja will include a case of sanitary wet wipe as well as a portable bottle of sanitizer

Jeez! The banos in Baja are a lot cleaner than many of the public restrooms north of the border.

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress Jeez! The banos in Baja are a lot cleaner than many of the public restrooms north of the border.

Looks as if there is a misprint here ... don't you mean "potty" trip

Quote:

Originally posted by Tbone Quote: Originally posted by Cypress Jeez! The banos in Baja are a lot cleaner than many of the public restrooms north of the border. Put down the crack pipe

The Fishermen/Women on This Board are Suspiciously Silent

Quote:

Originally posted by Gypsy Jan

Humor detour...

Co-Pilots are very adaptable and always shun the Baja Road's public bathrooms. Like me, they would much rather go au naturale. Ah..there's nothing like freedom of choice.




Who needs a..ugh..Pemex bathroom when there's a perfectly good Hobie at hand? Much like these sailors below who are 'christening' a friend's new racing cat a few years ago on Posada Beach.

.....Si, como no?





And the word is out that Pemex is trying to save space and is about to launch a new prototype banos for it's many stations.




I'm taking the stairs, believe me!