Very few people like to admit that they bring their phone to the bathroom, but almost every single one of us is guilty of it.
Sometimes you just need to take a breather and check your Instagram from the comfort of your own stall, no matter how disgusting that concept may be.
But seriously, it’s time to stop taking your phone to the bathroom!
It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that every bathroom, even in your own house, is filled with germs and bacteria.
BuzzFeed recently reached out to two germ experts, Charles Gerba, Ph.D., professor of microbiology, and Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental health, at the University of Arizona, to learn more about the health risks of using your phone in the bathroom.
As it turns out, taking your phone out to text on the toilet isn’t just gross—it’s dangerous!
“Bathrooms are covered in germs, pathogens, and enteric bacteria (from the intestinal tract), mostly from fecal matter,” Gerba said.
And washing your hands after using the restroom doesn’t protect you as much as you might like to think.
According to most health experts, the faucet, toilet and door handles, and the floor are the most contaminated areas in any bathroom, especially in public restrooms.
Even more disgusting, every time you flush the toilet, it sprays germ-infested water literally everywhere.
“When you flush the toilet, water with feces and urine sprays about six feet in every direction,” said Reynolds.
While most of these germs are harmless, some may transmit serious illnesses, like norovirus, salmonella, E. coli, and more.
As Reynolds points out, we have to stop believing the myth that urine is sterile; in reality, it can transmit serious respiratory infections and even pink eye.
Yes, washing your hands is a surefire way to ensure that you’re leaving the bathroom as clean as possible, but always remember: not everybody washes their hands.
“Norovirus, the most common cause of adult diarrhea in the U.S., is almost always linked to bad hand-washing habits,” Gerba explained.
So, unless checking your Snapchat stories absolutely cannot wait the three extra minutes it takes for you to use the restroom, you should really consider keeping your phone in your bag.
