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Scary Microorganisms That Live Down Your Sink

You may be surprised that your sink, particularly your kitchen sink, hosts more germs than the bathroom toilet. The slimy biofilm that coats the drain contains hundreds of toxic microorganisms. Microorganisms originate from a number of sources, such as leftover food, tap water, raw food bacteria and dirty hands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorize these scary microorganisms as pathogenic bacteria, parasitic protozoa and viruses.

  1. Pathogenic Bacteria

    • According to the FDA, the bacteria Salmonella and Campylobacter jejuni are present on 20 to 100 percent of raw chicken meat. Once rinsed from the raw meat, these bacteria thrive in the moist environment of the kitchen drain. Another bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes (listeriosis) lives in the sink's biofilm from the soil rinsed from raw fruits and vegetables. The FDA further states that strains of Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) are found in the human digestive system, and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph infections) lives on 50 percent of healthy people. These bacteria are passed through fecal matter onto hands or contaminated food that is also washed into the sink. Pathogenic bacteria live in the drain's environment unless sanitized with proper anti-bacterial detergents.

    Parasitic Protozoa

    • Cryptosporidium parvum (Crypto) and Giardia lamblia are two examples of parasites that easily contaminate water. Together they make up the majority of waterborne illnesses. Since both of these parasites have hard outer shells, they resist chlorine treatment and make their way through filters into household drains. In 1993, Crypto contaminated water supplies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin leaving 400,000 people sick. Both Crypto and Giardia are highly contagious and contaminate water and food sources through fecal matter from an infected host. Since cool moist conditions, like a household drain, contribute to the parasites survival, "absolute 1 micron" or "reverse osmosis" water filters can reduce or eliminate these parasites.

    Viruses

    • Viruses like Hepatitis A and Norwalk virus group are found in fecal-contaminated water not properly disinfected. Both viruses have a long incubation period where they can survive outside a host. A small dose of viruses, ranging between 10 to 100 particles, is all that is needed to become infected. Chlorine will kill some viruses, but, if an infected person uses the sink, there is a chance some could end up in the drain. Under the right conditions, they could exist for months. According to the FDA, because viruses spread rapidly, the common cold is the only illness more reported than virus-related illnesses in the U.S.

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