Wearing your shoes inside the house is apparently much more dangerous
than you thought, as it is a way to spread harmful bacteria that causes
sickness, as found by researchers from the University of Houston.
The paper explains that the bacteria brought indoor can multiply and make you prone to stomach problems like diarrhea.
Professor Kevin Garey, the study co-author, explains:
“It’s amazing how far humans travel during the day. And all that walking drags in germs and bugs.”
The team analyzed 2,500 samples and found that a quarter of shoe
soles tested positive for a bug that causes painful stomach cramps.
Researchers actually showed that bacteria thrive better on shoes than
toilets. Namely, a study conducted at the University of Arizona studied
bacteria on shoes and found that 440,000 units of bacteria attached
themselves to the soles within two weeks. Researchers also found that
when one walked over clean floors, bacteria did contaminate the floors
more than 90 percent of the time.
According to Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of microbiology and
environmental sciences at the University of Arizona, who studied the
bacteria on the bottom of shoes:
“If you wear shoes for more than a month, 93 percent will have
fecal bacteria on the bottom of them. We found E. coli, too. The common
occurrence (96 percent) of coliform and E. coli bacteria on the outside
of the shoes indicates frequent contact with fecal material, which most
likely originates from floors in public restrooms or contact with animal
fecal material outdoors.
Our study also indicated that bacteria can be tracked by shoes
over a long distance into your home or personal space after the shoes
were contaminated with bacteria.”
According to CDC, even though these bacteria are usually not harmful,
some strains can make you sick, cause pneumonia and respiratory
illness, diarrhea or urinary tract infections.
He said:
“Shoes make microorganisms fairly mobile, and you’re tracking
that all around (the house). Also, if you’re immunocompromised or have
allergy issues, it’s a good idea to take your shoes off, as shoes also
pick up mold and allergens like pollen.”
Also, chemicals used in farming or toxins used on the lawn can also
end up on your shoes. A 2013 study conducted at the Baylor University
found that people who live near asphalt roads sealed with coal tar had a
higher risk of cancer from toxins brought in the home by their shoes.
The habit of not leaving the shoes outside will also ruin the floors
over time, wear down the carpets, carry toxins inside that pollute the
air, and track in dirt. So, it will only take you a second. Take your
shoes off before going inside, and you will avoid all these possible
risks altogether.