Dangers lurking in your shower head
Scientists warn of the potentially pathogenic bacteria in showerheads
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By Will Haine. |  |
Tuesday, 15, Sep 2009 12:01
Scientists in America have warned a daily shower can deliver a "face full of potentially pathogenic bacteria".
Researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder found 30 per cent of the showerheads they investigated harboured significant levels of Mycobacterium avium, a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease.
High-tech instruments and lab methods were used to analyse around 50 showerheads from nine cities in seven states in the US.
CU-Boulder distinguished professor Norman Pace, who led the study, said: "It's not surprising to find pathogens in municipal waters.
"But the CU-Boulder researchers found that some M. avium and related pathogens were clumped together in slimy 'biofilms' that clung to the inside of showerheads at more than 100 times the "background" levels of municipal water.
"If you are getting a face full of water when you first turn your shower on, that means you are probably getting a particularly high load of Mycobacterium avium, which may not be too healthy," he added.
The researchers said pulmonary disease symptoms include tiredness, a persistent, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness and "generally feeling bad".
Immune-compromised people like pregnant women, the elderly and those who are fighting off other diseases are more prone to experience such symptoms.
Previous studies by Prof Pace and his group found massive enrichments of M. avium in "soap scum" commonly found on vinyl shower curtains and floating above the water surface of warm therapy pools.
A 2006 therapy pool study led by Pace and CU-Boulder professor Mark Hernandez showed high levels of M. avium in the indoor pool environment were linked to a pneumonia-like pulmonary condition in pool attendants known as "lifeguard lung".
"There are lessons to be learned here in terms of how we handle and monitor water," said Prof Pace.
"Water monitoring in this country is frankly archaic. The tools now exist to monitor it far more accurately and far less expensively that what is routinely being done today."