Mobile Phone - A Health Hazard

Your mobile phone could be a major health hazard, research shows.

- The phones, the essential part of everyday life for 55 million Britons ( meaning hundreds of millions the world around) ARE CRAWLING WITH POTENTIALLY LETHAL BACTERIA.

With tens of thousands of microbes living on each square inch, they harbour more bacteria than a lavotary seat, the sole of a shoe or a door handle.

Microbiologists say the combinaton of constant handling and the heat generated by the phones creates a prime breeding ground for all sorts of bugs that are normally found on our skin.

They include Staphylococus aureus, which can cause illness from pimples and boils to pnneumonia and meningitis and is a close relative of the superbug MRSA.

Joanna Varran, professor of microbiology at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "Mobile phones are stored in bags or pockets, are handled frequently and held close to the face.

"In other words, they come into contact with more parts of our body and a wider range of bacteria than toilet seats. The phones contained more skin bacterias than any other object. This could be due to the fact that this type of bacteria increases in high temperatures and our phones are perfect for breeding these germs as they are kept warm and cosy in pockets, handbags and briefcases".

Thanks to: "P. Ramakrishnan" pramakr@gmail.com