Commuter Contempt

You know they’re gross. But you never really thought about it. You never thought about just how disgusting they are. Well, here’s your answer, they are the nastiest thing you touch, on your way to work.

Gas pump handles turned out to be the filthiest surface that Americans encounter on the way to work, according to a study released on Tuesday by Kimberly-Clark Professional, a unit of personal hygiene giant Kimberly-Clark Corp.

A team of hygienists swabbed hundreds of surfaces around six U.S. cities to see what everyday objects are breeding grounds for the worst bacteria and viruses.

The top offenders, following gas pumps, were handles on public mailboxes, escalator rails and ATM buttons.

Closely following on the filthiest list were parking meters and kiosks, crosswalk buttons and buttons on vending machines in shopping malls.

“It comes down to the fact that nobody cleans the things that you’re going to touch on a daily basis,” said Dr. Kelly Arehart, program leader of Kimberly-Clark’s Healthy Workplace Project.

It’s shit like this that makes me not want to leave the house. Ever.

I’m not a germaphobe, but I completely understand them. EVERY time I take money out of the ATM, every time I fill up my car, I DO think about just how filthy these objects are. Germs can’t die fast enough in between people touching them.

I’d also like to add to the list the following:

• Train door handles
• Anything on a subway

Fuck this germy world. I’m buying a 12-pack of Isotoners and wearing them 24/7. No joke. The ones with the grips so I don’t drop my beer.