Video Showing Dust Mites and Numerous Bacteria Goes Viral
"Use Antibacterial Wipes or Disinfectant Alcohol Needed"
A video providing evidence that numerous mites live on smartphones, which modern people touch all day long and even bring close to their faces, has been shared and is causing a sensation.
The image shows a close-up view of a mobile phone speaker hole under a microscope (left) and dust mites living in the mobile phone speaker hole. [Source=Radbible]
Recently, the UK online media outlet LadBible reported that a video titled "Remove the phone placed on your bed immediately" is gaining attention. The video shows a smartphone magnified under a microscope. In the video, dust that was invisible to the naked eye was seen accumulated in the small holes of the speaker gaps, and dust mites were crawling around the speaker holes. Dust mites are arthropods belonging to the order Acari, family Pyroglyphidae. They are known to feed on human skin keratin.
Next, after pressing a thumbprint on the phone screen and examining it under a microscope, countless bacteria were discovered. Sarah Latoria, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois, USA, warned, "Viral diseases such as the flu can spread through contact with smartphones." A study in the United States found that bacteria on smartphones are ten times more numerous than those on toilet seats. A UK study also revealed that 17% of smartphones were contaminated with feces. In particular, bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus inhabit smartphone screens, and when the screen touches the face during calls, it can cause skin problems such as acne and folliculitis.
Reducing smartphone use is practically difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain maximum cleanliness when using smartphones. It is recommended to clean smartphones several times a day with antibacterial wipes or cotton soaked in disinfectant alcohol. Some recommend using smartphone sterilizers or dedicated cleaners. Also, when making calls, it is better to connect earphones or use speakerphone to prevent the screen from touching the skin. However, according to a survey by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus were detected in about 90% of earphones, so it is better to disinfect earphones regularly. The ear caps should be removed and thoroughly wiped with a cotton swab soaked in disinfectant ethanol, and if using wired earphones, the earphone cables should also be cleaned.
Similarly, keyboards and mice, which are frequently used like smartphones, also harbor many bacteria. According to a survey by the Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute, Bacillus cereus, which causes food poisoning, was found on keyboards and mice. Therefore, it is recommended to use keyboard covers and to wipe mice with antibacterial wipes before and after use.
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