Flip Flop Filth

Filed Under: Icky Icky Poo Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!

Yikes!!

It's known that flip flops are universally the summer footwear of choice. In spite of their apparent convenience, however, they're a lot dirtier than you probably think and possibly even dangerous!

Two reporters at the New York Daily News each wore a pair of flops for four days around the city, and then sent them in to be tested at the EMSL Analytical Lab. The results were less than fancy-free: both sets of thongs were carrying the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.

Dennis Kinney, Ph.D., manager of the EMSL lab, says the bacteria "can make you pretty sick if it got into a wound and into your bloodstream, where it could attack any of your internal organs." Even if it doesn't kill you, "it can still cause infections - typically boils and skin infections," says Kinney. Vile!

What's more, after just four days, the flip flops housed roughly 18,100 bacteria. According to Dr. Charles P. Gerba, microbiology professor at the University of Arizona, "If you wear shoes for three months, 93% have fecal bacteria and 20% have E. Coli."

Eww!!

Adding to the ick factor, Aerococcus viridans and Rothia mucilaginosa, bacteria that normally resides in your mouth, were found. Kinney says that this is "not a good sign. It means that people are spitting. If someone were sick and spitting on the ground, you could pick something up."

Thank goodness the fall season is just around the corner, bringing boots and regular shoes. Until then, we're switching to sneakers!

[Image via AP Images.]

Posted: August 19, 2009 at 5:09 pm