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warning: this is not a surprise

Study Finds That Gas Pumps Are Really Dirty, Sky Blue

by Max Eddy | 3:57 pm, November 1st, 2011

A recent study by the Kimberly-Clark’s Healthy Workplace Project found that gas pump handles are the foulest things most Americans come into contact with on a daily basis. This was a stiff competition, as the other surfaces examined in the study included public mailboxes, handrails on escalators, and the buttons on ATMs. While these three ranked in the top four, they were beaten soundly by gas pump handles.

The study was fairly simple, using swab samples taken from several public objects with which people have frequent contact, the researchers looked for signs of bacteria or viruses. Specifically, the researchers were looking for adenosine triphosphate, which, according to Reuters, “signals the presence of animal, vegetable, bacteria, yeast or mold cells.”

When it came to gas pump handles, the levels were high enough that researchers believe that it could be a site of disease transmission.

Now, before everyone runs to their local filling station with torches and pitchforks, please bear a few things in mind. First, this study does not seem to have been carried out in a highly scientific manner. Though the actual testing appears to be sound, why gas stations were chosen and which ones were sampled appear to have been done on a whim. Furthermore, the study did not find actual evidence of disease transmission, only evidence that it could be possible.

However, the researchers say that their aim was to simply highlight that things are dirty. In the words of the project’s leader, Dr. Kelly Arehart:

“It comes down to the fact that nobody cleans the things that you’re going to touch on a daily basis[.]“

I’ll drink to that, Dr. Arehart, right after I sanitize my hands with fire.

(Reuters via Green Car Reports, image via Patrick Emerson)

Relevant to your interests

  • http://www.globalgeeknews.com pcnerd37

    It should be noted that the people who did this study were are the same people that make hand sanitizers.  Never trust a study done by somebody who has a financial interest in the results.

  • Paul Johnson

    I never understood why anybody would pay more to do the gas station’s job for ‘em.  Minimum Service islands are always cheaper than Self Service.

  • Anonymous

    Another reason why its great to live in New Jersey.  It is illegal to pump your own gas.  State law requires every gas station operates as Full Service and you don’t pay any extra for it.  I believe it is the last state in the US that has this.

    Plus for smokers, gas stations double as drive thru cigarette stores.

  • Paul Johnson

    New Jersey doesn’t have Full Service at most stations.  Neither does Oregon.  Minimum Service is the norm.  Full Service, they check your tires, top off the radiator, clean the windows, etc:  Full service.

  • Anonymous

    @google-405fa393058c6d8b4ca005d3a8556acb:disqus

    You are right, that is what I meant.  I didn’t think Oregon still had that.

  • Paul Johnson

    It’s quite unlikely that it will ever change.  You hear about major gasoline spills, gas station fires and other gasoline related disasters while refuelling all across America in places that allow the general public self-service gasoline.  You know how many such refuelling accidents you hear about in Oregon and New Jersey where you have trained people who won’t refuel a dangerous container, leaky gas tank, and know how to handle a spill correctly?  Zero.  Not near zero, absolute zero.


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