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People who opt for nonsmoking rooms in hotels with a partial smoking ban are not fully protected from harmful exposure to so-called "thirdhand" smoke, according to a new study.More >> People who opt for nonsmoking rooms in hotels with a partial smoking ban are not fully protected from harmful exposure to so-called "thirdhand" smoke, according to a new study.More >> New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone.More >> New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone.More >> Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise.More >> Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise.More >> As many as one in five American children under the age of 17 has a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to a new federal report.More >> As many as one in five American children under the age of 17 has a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to a new federal report.More >> Eye experts warn that the adhesives used to apply eyelash extensions can cause allergies and infections.More >> Eye experts warn that the adhesives used to apply eyelash extensions can cause allergies and infections.More >>
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New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone.More >> New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone.More >> Film star Angelina Jolie will have her ovaries removed to help lower her odds for ovarian cancer, People magazine reported Wednesday.More >> Film star Angelina Jolie will have her ovaries removed to help lower her odds for ovarian cancer, People magazine reported Wednesday.More >> Weight gain in men and women is predicted by two different genetic variations -- so-called polymorphisms, according to a new study from the Netherlands.More >> Weight gain in men and women is predicted by two different genetic variations -- so-called polymorphisms, according to a new study from the Netherlands.More >> The notion of wealthy "sugar daddies" with young, pretty wives and well-heeled "cougar" women with handsome, young husbands may be more fiction than fact, new research suggests.More >> The notion of wealthy "sugar daddies" with young, pretty wives and well-heeled "cougar" women with handsome, young husbands may be more fiction than fact, new research suggests.More >> Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows.More >> Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows.More >>
This is LT, the afternoon DJ at the Blaze radio station. He's your typical single guy. He lives alone, and cleaning isn't always his top priority.
"When it calls for it, then I'll clean it," he explains.
When he does clean, he usually uses just one thing.
"Sponges. I use them for pretty much everything. Cleaning the counter tops, dishes, the bathroom," he adds.
He tells us he rarely changes his sponge out, which is why we asked him to donate his sponge to us. We asked scientists at UT Health Center in Tyler to examine LT's sponge and two others for bacteria. Their findings were surprising.
"Lots of things grew. They were heavily contaminated with bacteria, mostly what you find in feces," says Dr. Richard Wallace.
Yes, you heard right. Feces. Dr. Richard Wallace says every sponge grew bacteria normally found in animal stool. Why stool? He says it’s because even if you use soap when you clean a dish or counter that had meat, poultry, or eggs on it, it grows that type of bacteria. So what does LT think about this?
"That's gross. So that's going in all the other stuff?" he asks.
Yes, according to Dr. Wallace.
"You're basically smearing the bacteria around," says Dr. Wallace.
"It's amazing I am still alive!" says LT.
Not necessarily. Dr. Wallace says only bacteria like e-coli and salmonella can make you sick, but both can breed in your sponge.
And Dr. Wallace says you can clean your sponge.
Just run it in the dishwasher or rinse it with bleach.
