TECHNICAL DATA

WHAT'S GROWING IN YOUR CAR?

A recent study recently showed that there are greater quantities of nasty germs inhabiting the average seat of a tube train than under the rim of a toilet.

Because of this a test was carried out by Top Gear on an Audi A6.

The results were really quite unpleasant.

Swabs were taken from the footwell, boot floor, glovebox, driver's seat base, headrest, steering wheel, an air-conditioning vent and a child seat.

These were then wiped on agar plates (getting an O-level biology flashback?) and left to incubate in a lab for four days. If you're tucking into a snack as you read this, it's probably best you put it to one side...

Identified were 271 colonies of bacteria and moulds. Although after a superficial glance the A6 may have seemed relatively clean, it was remarkably mouldy.

Mould spores were ubiquitous in the environment and could easily be isolated from the air and soil.

In the tests these were isolated from most parts of the car, being particularly numerous in areas where soil accumulates.

More colonies of all germs were found in the driver's footwell than anywhere else. Of the organisms singled out, some sound more concerning than others. Like the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, an inhabitant of steering wheels. It's probably to be found there "if you pick your nose or sneeze while driving. Disease-causing strains can result in skin and throat infections, staphylococcal food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. In hospitals, this organism is a serious threat and often known as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA, a major cause of wound and systemic infections." Gulp.

Also present, Escherichia coli. Stubbs reveals "the presence of this organism in food or water is used as an indicator of faecal contamination; the same principles can be applied to surfaces, where it indicates poor personal hygiene."

In fairness, we should point out that it wasn't all germ-ridden in there. As to the cleanest area of the Audi tested (arguably against expectations), this was the child seat, setting a fine example.

Just because we cannot see them germs and disease doesn't mean that they are not there. Below are the dirty dozen found in the vehicle.

STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS
Predominantly found on the human skin, does not cause disease.

MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
Common in the environment and normally found on skin and soil. Does not normally cause disease.

STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Found on human skin and up the nose. Some strains can cause food poisoning or even major wound infections.

ESCHERICHIA COLI
Unpleasantly, the presence of this in food and water is used as an indicator of faecal contamination.

BACILLUS MYCOIDES
A very common variety of bacteria found in the environment in soil, water, boots and, therefore, footwells.

PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA
Widely distributed in soil, water and plants. Can cause infections of the skin, external ear canal and eye.

CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI
Inhabitants of soil. They can germinate in wounds and produce a powerful toxin that causes tetanus.

STREPTOMYCES GRISEUS
Found in soil and the environment, the antibiotic streptomycin is obtained from members of the genus.

ASPERGILLUS SPP.
Fungi commonly found in nature. They are isolated from soil, plant debris and the indoor air environment.

CLADOSPORIUM SPP.
Pigmented moulds widely distributed in air and frequently isolated as a contaminant on foods.

PENICILLIUM SPP.
Filamentous Fungi. They are widespread and are found in soil, decaying vegetation and the air.

BACILLUS CEREUS
Commonly found in soil, can cause food poisoning or eye infections and infections of open wounds.

The fog-it machine kills all known germs and most common bacteria. Create a safer environment in your vehicle today.


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