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Study Warns Flyers of Germiest Spots on an Airplane

Seat pockets, tray tables and lavatories among the dirtiest destinations on an aircraft.

Frequent flyers worried about their health can forget about recycled air as their biggest threat. A recent review completed by Drexel Medicine discovered the six germiest places on a commercial aircraft – with none of them connected with recycled air.

In their review of studies, the germiest place of all aboard an aircraft was found literally underneath flyers’ noses. Because of the constant contact made day after day and lack of cleaning, seat pockets and tray tables ranked the highest for germ concentration aboard commercial airliners. Drexel Medicine noted the seat back pockets can contain rather unpleasant items, including vomit and nail trimmings, while tray tables have been used for everything from changing diapers to hiding chewing gum.

Many may not be surprised to discover lavatories ranked third on the list, due to their frequent use and rather infrequent cleaning between stops. However, researchers have been working on ways to keep lavatories fresh between uses, including utilizing ultraviolet lights to create a “self-cleaning” bathroom.

Before curling up with a packaged blanket, Drexel Health warns travelers to think twice about using it to begin with. In previous reports, flight attendants have often noted that blankets are repackaged between flights without so much as a cleaning, with previous flyers leaving their germs behind.

Finally, while in-flight entertainment systems have changed the way travelers fly, researchers warn they may also be crawling with germs. In-flight entertainment systems are touched hundreds of times per day by multiple people without disinfecting between flights. Therefore, travelers could be subjecting themselves to unnecessary risk, simply by selecting a film or television show.

Although germs are waiting for flyers around every turn, there are precautions travelers can take prior to boarding their flight. Experts recommend travelers pack anti-bacterial hand sanitizer in their 3-1-1 personal item bag, as well as use cleaning wipes on common surfaces. Additionally, travelers should consider packing their own comfort items – including entertainment, blankets and pillows – to keep their travels as hygienic as possible.

[Photo: Getty]

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djjaguar64 July 6, 2016

I never fly without my Lysol mini spray. I use that in the lav's and on the inflight entertainment system