Summer is almost upon us and with it comes an upswing in the amount of domestic and international travel as people jet off for their holidays. This year is expected to be particularly busy when it comes to travel, as the first open summer season in three years. That tourism, though, brings with it a cleaning and disinfection risk and there are a number of germ hotspots to watch out for.
Reckitt’s Lysol Pro Solutions recently highlighted for CleanLink the most contaminated surfaces to look out for on planes and in hotels, and there were a few that may potentially cause surprise.
The likes of door handles are usually cited as the biggest germ hotspots, but the analysis found there are a number of less-considered hidden dangers such as TV remotes, elevator buttons, luggage carts, and plane seatbelt buckles.
Lysol Pro Solutions’ team of scientists used ATP (adenosine triphosphate) analysis to measure contamination levels on surfaces in 10 planes, one airport, and 15 hotels across the U.S.
ATP analysis uses swab tests that provide a rapid measurement of germs on surfaces – in other words, how effectively they have been cleaned and disinfected.
The results found the following top three germiest hotspots in each environment:
Hotel rooms:
- Toilet handles
- TV remotes, doorknobs (tied)
- Desktops, fridge handles, nightstands (tied)
Hotel common areas:
- Elevator buttons
- Luggage cart handrails
- Bathroom doors, front desks, elevator handrails (tied)
Airport check-in lobby:
- Pin pad at check-in kiosks
- Check-in countertops
- Baggage office countertops
Plane seat area:
- Seatbelt buckles, window shade handles (tied)
- Tray table latch
- Overhead air vent dials
Lysol Pro Solutions notes in the CleanLink article that recognizing these germ hotspots should help cleaning companies, facility managers, and workers understand where to focus cleaning and disinfection measures and create targeted hygiene programs that helps provide protection.
Dr. Lisa Ackerley, director, Medical and Scientific Engagement, Hygiene, at Reckitt’s Lysol Pro Solutions, said: “In this era of heightened germ awareness, activities such as using public transport and staying in a hotel still concern many Americans.
“It’s critical that businesses in these sectors understand how germs spread in hotels and planes, and take the necessary steps to make people feel confident as they return to traveling this summer. This should include a combination of facility-led hygiene protocols that are targeted on the right hotspots at the right time, and equipping customers and staff with the products and education to help protect themselves and other travelers around them.”
