Dirtiest surface in a plane revealed and it’s almost impossible to avoid it

With hundreds of passengers flying in airplanes every day, it’s no surprise that the cabins are home to quite a few germs.

However a new study has revealed just what surface is the dirtiest inside a plane – and it’s one that almost every single passenger will come into contact with; the headrest.

A new study conducted by Marketplace has revealed that plane seats’ headrests are proven to carry the most germs out of a series of surfaces which passengers come into contact with regularly.

And of course it’s pretty difficult to avoid coming into contact with the headrest when you’re sat in your seat.

Marketplace conducted tests on 18 short-haul flights across Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines between Ottawa and Montreal.

They took samples from the plane seat’s headrest, seatbelt buckle, seat pocket and tray table, as well as the inside handle of the toilet door, collecting over 100 samples.

They were sent to the University of Guelph’s lab to be analysed by microbiologist Keith Warriner, who told CBC: "I was really amazed about how much we actually recovered from them. Some of them more scary than others."

In fact, the samples revealed traces of E. coli bacteria on both the headrests and seat pockets which indicates ‘fecal contamination’.

Which is pretty grim.

Jason Tetro, who works in infection control told the publication: "I was shocked. Honestly, I have looked at planes, and I travel so much on planes, I’m aware of so many of the different places [where germs could be found]. But then I saw what you showed me with the headrest. And even I, the germ guy, went ‘ew’."

Of course the chances of catching an infection are still pretty low – but if you are worried, there are ways you can try and lower the risk that little bit further, for example by packing a hand sanitizer in your hand luggage (make sure this is under the 100ml limit), and washing your hands before eating or touching your face.

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