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Gross Facts About Bacteria

When most people hear the word "bacteria," they immediately cringe and think of rotting food and sicknesses. However, bacteria, the oldest form of life on Earth, perform several vital functions for our bodies and environment. Without them, life would not have developed to where we are today. Nevertheless, there are a number of bacterial facts that people may consider "gross."

  1. Bacteria in Fecal Matter

    • Human excrement contains a lot of bacteria, which would not be a problem if everyone practiced good hygiene after using the bathroom. One study estimated thirty percent of people do not wash their hands after using the toilet. Additionally, washing machines do not always kill all fecal bacteria from underwear, and may actually spread that bacteria to other clothes in the wash cycle. That said, the bathroom is still, on average, less contaminated by bacteria than kitchens.

    Bacteria in Surprising Places

    • Bacteria are everywhere. And there are a lot of them. One gram of soil contains over 40 million bacteria. In most cases this is not a problem, but harmful bacteria can be found and can multiply in warm, moist areas. This includes nearly a third of all bottled water sold in the United States, contact lenses, washcloths, sponges, sink handles, and cheap hotel rooms. Using a set of headphones for an hour creates an environment that allows bacteria to multiply up to 700 times the normal rate in your ear.

    Some Bacteria are Martians

    • Meteorites in Antarctica that came from Mars have been shown to have alien bacteria living on them. This opens the possibility of some form of life on the planet, and also speaks to the resilience of bacteria, which survived life on Mars, in space, and finally in the harsh cold of Antarctica. Scientists believe bacteria can also be used to mimic our environment on any future colonies on Mars.

    We Need Bacteria

    • There are 100,000 bacteria on each square centimeter of our skin, and we host over 100 quadrillion bacteria throughout our bodies, both externally and internally. But, for the most part, they are helpful parasites. For example, they help to break down our food and release vitamins. Bacteria create and maintain the environment we live in, from producing oxygen to decomposing garbage. Knowing where your food comes from and ensuring it does not spoil, as well as washing your hands with soap and water regularly, can help to reduce exposure to bad bacteria, while allowing you to enjoy the good bacteria that helps keep you healthy.

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