Special Report: Handle with Care

Man:
"Nobody washed their hands but me."

Lots of people skip the sink and head out the door after using the bathroom, more than are willing to admit. And those dirty hands are spreading dangerous bacteria. We went undercover to 6 public restrooms swabbing door handles at restaurants, a retail store and a sporting arena.

Andrea Fontaine Foods Research Labs.
"The most surprising thing we found was the type that's associated with foodborne illness."

We found that at a popular chain restaurant and retail store.

Another potential problem that showed up, at these spots, E.coli.

All but one of the handles had some level of bacteria, some of them high levels. The cleanest bathroom handle, believe it or not, was found at a fast food restaurant.

Andrea Fontaine Foods Research Labs.
"We tested specifically for types of bacteria, but you have to remember that the same way that bacteria gets transferred is the same way that viruses can get transferred."

While many say they wash their hands,
Woman: "Every time I go to the bathroom"
Man: "I don’t know if I wash them long enough"
Are they really doing it the right way?

Cynthia Judd Berger Food Safety Consulting
"Rub that in just like lotion"

Byron Barnett: "I will wash like someone who is in a rush."

After a quick wash, just to demonstrate the problem, infrared light shows us several orange blotches that could be bacteria left behind.

Cynthia Judd Berger Food Safety Consulting
"Almost looks as if you didn't wash your hands at all."

Andrea Fontaine Foods Research Labs.
"I think we see a lot of what we call drive by hand washing, where they literally turn the water on run their hands under the water."

The best way to battle bacteria, wash your hands for 20 seconds and use that paper towel to touch all those potential problem spots, like the door handle.

That way you're shutting out germs that could make you sick.

 To make sure you wash your hands long enough, say the alphabet, in your head of course. When you get to z, you’re done.

(Copyright (c) 2005 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) CJN