Warning: Pumping Gas Can Be Seriously Bad For Your Health

[The Straight Story]

We all know that exhaust fumes do bad things to us and our planet, and that gasoline fumes contain carcinogens, but the biggest risk to your health might come from the gas pump itself, not the gasoline.

That’s the verdict of a recent study by Kimberly-Clark Professional, which found that the number of potential harmless bacteria and viruses found on the average gas-pump handle could, quite frankly, seriously damage your health.

In fact, the study’s head Dr. Kelly Arehart, said that the handle on the lowly gas pump was less hygenic than public mailboxes, ATM machines, escalator rails and even parking meters.

...

That’s hardly surprising if you consider the number of people who use a single gas station pump in a single hour during the rush-hour, most of whom we’d assume would be too busy to bother washing their hands after pumping gas.

As part of the study, researchers found that gas-pump handles contained high levels of adenosine triphosphate, which suggests the presence of animal and vegetable remnants as well as bacteria, yeast or mold. In short, it appears the humble gas-pump handle is the ideal breeding ground for all kinds of infections.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1068047_warning-pumping-gas-can-be-seriously-bad-for-your-health

[Gman]

1. I'm in the habit of using hand cleaner after I use the gas pump

I figured as much was going on.

[Gore1FL]

11. I will be now... n/t

[MADem]

14. Me too--one of those things ya just might not think about! nt

[rug]

2. I love the smell of gasoline.

[tridim]

3. So be sure to wash your hands with gasoline after filling up.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. A company that makes antibacterial hand-wash conducts a study finding that bacteria are really bad!

Shocking.

[LiberalFighter]

5. Boo Hoo

How many places are there that have the same possibility. And how long have gas pumps been around?

How often do people have to fill up their gas tanks? Once every week or two?

[nashville_brook]

6. that's why i keep Kimberly-Clark brand Wet Ones in my console

[YellowRubberDuckie]

12. Irony?

I'm thinking since K-C is owned by Koch Brothers.

[subterranean]

16. The Kochs don't own Kimberley-Clark.

I think the irony intended was the fact that the study about bacteria-laden gas pumps was conducted by a company that sells antibacterial products.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

23. Oh.

I could have sworn this was on the list of their holdings.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Nothing in the report that says they are 'seriously bad'; just they had more ATP than other surfaces

that were tested. Something had to have the highest amount, and it turned out to be gas pumps.

As Spider Jerusalem points out above, this is a corporation trying to get people to buy their products.

[subterranean]

8. "Potentially harmless" bacteria? I think the writer meant "potentially harmful."

[haikugal]

9. I use gloves...a special pair just for that purpose.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Oh, FFS.

I touch all kinds of surfaces every day, many of which are probably pretty germy, and I'm almost never sick. The germ freaks who have to wash with hand sanitizer every time they touch anything that's out there in public are more likely to get sick than not, because their immune systems never get exposed to anything. Take sensible precautions, but don't panic over this stuff.

I suspect somebody is trying to sell soap and hand sanitizer.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

13. Remember how George Carlin said he never got sick because he USED his immune system?

And he said swimming in the Hudson (or East, can't remember) River didn't hurt either.
Duckie

[whistler162]

15. Yup and look at him now!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

24. LOL

George isn't dead because he used his immune system. But thanks for the laugh. :rofl: It struck me crazy funny.

[tridim]

20. I haven't taken an antibiotic since high school.

Going on two decades of no serious illness, just a mild cold once a year.

I totally agree with Carlin. I believe in my immune system, it's there for a reason.

* I'm not anti-antibiotic, but I am anti-take an antibiotic at the first sign of the common freaking cold. I know people who do that, and they always seem to have a cold. Coincidence?

[warrior1]

17. it would

be on your money too.

[SomethingFishy]

18. When I was a kid, I ate dirt, paste, crayons,

all kinds of crap. Still here. I can't be worrying about every surface I touch.

[tridim]

21. Paste and crayons are non-toxic. Enjoy!

As for dirt, everyone eats it. It's impossible not to.

I bet the average person eats a few pounds over a lifetime.

[MedicalAdmin]

19. More Koch Roach propoganda.

Look at how did the report and then connect it to the latest fear based trend of wiping everything off with a sani-wipe.


Let me ask you this folks, do you know of, or heard of ANYONE who got sick from a gas pump handle? Seriously. It's a non issue.

[former9thward]

22. Ridiculous scare BS

Better just stay in your home 24/7. Wouldn't want to be by any germs! What nonsense.