According to new research, the plastic trays we all use when we go through security actually have more viruses on them than any other place in the airport, and yes, that means the toilets. They trays are reportedly rarely disinfected and because of their rapid reuse pick up high numbers of viruses, which can survive up to one day. The researchers found that the pathogens on the trays can give a person anything from a cold or flu to a bladder infection of SARS.
Professor Jonathan Van Tam, the study’s author, explained how to prevent infection, saying, “People can help to minimize contagion by hygienic hand washing and coughing into a handkerchief, tissue or sleeve at all times but especially in public places. These simple precautions can help prevent pandemics and are most important in crowded areas like airports that have a high volume of people traveling to and from many different parts of the world.”
