May 15, 2012
What's Lurking at the Gas Pump
If you're like most Americans, you feel a distinct twinge of anxiety
whenever you reach for the gas pump. Why? Well, you know how much more you're paying for gas than ever before. The thought of money flying out
of your wallet sends shivers down your spine, as well it should. But,
did you know that there could be another reason to fear the inevitable
need to refuel?
A 2011 Kimberly-Clark Professional study found
that more than 60 percent of gas pump handles may be highly contaminated
– potentially exposing you to nasty bacteria that can lead to serious
illness. Researchers tested the gas pump handles in high-traffic areas
for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is present in all types of
bacteria. Any surface with an ATP reading of 300 or higher is considered
to be at high risk for transmitting illness – and about 60 percent of
the handles tested had an ATP reading of 300 or higher.
Now,
just imagine running errands on one of your busiest days. After a long
day of running around, you realize your gas light is on – so, you swing
into the gas station to refuel. You stop in at the mart to pay for your
gas and pick up a bag of chips (after all, you haven’t had time to eat
anything all day). Then, you finish fueling up, get back in the car and
open up that bag of chips.
Knowing what you know now, here is where you might be cringing.
Yes,
you are not only shoveling chips, but potentially harmful bacteria into
your mouth. Later on, you feel a tickle in your throat, but attribute
it to the stress of the day. It’s been a long one, so you draw a warm
bath and retire for the evening.
Fast forward to two days later
and you’re completely out of commission. You have a pounding headache
and feel like you have golf ball lodged in your throat.
You’ve been infected with the streptococcal (strep) bacteria.
Was
this bacterium on the gas pump handle? It’s definitely possible. That’s
why it’s always a good idea to use a powerful hand sanitizer after
fueling up.
But you should also know that it’s not just gas
pumps: It’s mailbox handles, escalator rails and ATM buttons. It’s
anything that anyone has touched before you.
The good news is that you can protect yourself with TopSani Hand Sanitizer.
TopSani
creates a lasting anti-bacterial protection that will keep your skin safe from
germs for up to 4+ hours, so you don’t have to continually lather on
the hand sanitizer in order to be protected. And unlike alcohol-based
sanitizers, germs can't build up resistance to TopSani.
So, now
you have one less reason to cringe when you reach for the gas pump (or
mailbox handle, or escalator railing… you get the picture).