Researchers Find Potentially-Deadly Germs Hiding In Airplane Cabins For Days
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Most air travelers have left a flight feeling like their coughing neighbor or a sneezing kid was bound to get them sick. Now there is research to support that fear.
New findings from Auburn University show just how germ-filled the cabins of passenger jets really are. Scientists exposed six common airplane surfaces to MRSA, E. coli and other bacteria. They found that potentially-deadly bacteria could survive for over a week.
MRSA lasted the longest on a seat-back pockets, while E.coli was most comfortable hanging out on the arm rest.
"I'm not surprised," said traveler Anneke Hiatt. "I try not to focus on that stuff otherwise I wouldn't go anywhere."
Researchers found that the dry air in cabins helped the bacteria survive. Airlines say they are working on ways to minimize exposure.
