What's the biggest danger in your home? It will shock and disgust you

The biggest danger in your house aren't stairs, bugs or chemicals, but actually may be hand towels kept in the kitchen.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Kitchen towels may spread food poisoning, bacteria or other dangerous microorganisms around your home without any warning.

Help combat infectious disease, protect children and the poor.

Researchers from the University of Arizona have found that nearly 90% of hand towels in the U.S. kitchens contain harmful bacteria, the homeowners may unwittingly be spreading. The study found coliform bacteria in 89% and E. coli in 25.6% of kitchen towels.

"The common occurrence of enteric bacteria in kitchen sponges and dishcloths suggests that they can play a role in the cross-contamination of foods, fomites and hands by food-borne pathogens," the study said.

"This study investigated the occurrence of bacteria in kitchen towels often used to dry dishes, hands and other surfaces in the domestic kitchen."

Bacteria can be spread dangerously when individuals use a hand towel to dry dishes or surfaces.

"You may think you are cleaning the counter where food will be placed," said Kelly Reynolds, a researcher at the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health.

"But if you are using a dirty kitchen rag, you may actually be introducing hundreds of thousands of bacteria."

Reynolds said that to keep dangerous bacteria at bay, kitchen towels should be washed after each use.

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