Dishwashers (afwasautomaten) may not be as sterile as you think, but do they pose a health risk to you and your family?
The dishwasher may stain your dishes, but it may also be filled with bacteria and fungi. From bacteria to viruses to fungi, microbes are everywhere in and around the body. Therefore, the researchers are not surprised that kitchen equipment will host these devices.
The “extreme” habitat of the dishwasher
So, should people worry that the dishwasher will make you sick? Erica Hartmann, an assistant professor at Northwestern University said No.
The study was first released in the Applied Sciences and Environmental Microbiology Journal
She said: “The danger may be in the area of shark attacks.” In other words, most people face little or no risk, but there are screened groups of individuals who pose a higher risk. In this case, people whose strength or immunization is weakening or weakened due to existing conditions.
Hartman explained that dishwashers are an interesting example because microorganisms are actually “extreme” habitats. Hartman, who studies indoor microbiology, said: “People don’t think so.” It’s just a dishwasher, but in fact, this is an extreme environment.
“Opportunity” pathogen
Dishwashers produce conditions that fluctuate from wet to dry, from hot to cold, and from cold to acid. They also have a mixture of detergent and dinner residue. Therefore, only certain microorganisms can grow.
This new study looks at which bacteria and fungi actually live there, and which factors affect the composition of microorganisms. In particular, European researchers sampled rubber seals from 24 domestic dishwashers.
Overall, the most common bacteria include Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter, all of which have “opportunistic pathogen” strains. This means that it is usually harmless but can cause infection in people with compromised immune systems.
The most common types of fungi are Candida, Cryptococcus, and Rhodococcus. This includes opportunistic pathogens. According to the previous Health24 article, washing dishes by hand is less effective than reducing dishes to reduce bacterial content. Washing dishes with hands is linked to increased microbial exposure.
