Flying with hundreds of other people at once can be a gateway to illness.
Various Airplane surface – According to flight attendants, overhead bins, tray tables, instruction cards, seat covers and more are some of the largest sources of bacterial germs.
Even bathroom water can pose a risk. Some people question whether washing your hands on planes is even hygienic.
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“It’s a good idea for passengers to fasten their luggage, touch the front seat pocket and use hand sanitizers after they go to the bathroom,” Portugal-based travel blogger Josephine Limo previously told Travel & Leisure.
The bathroom may be particularly dirty as the toilets are cleaned regularly, but according to remo, the lock and door handles may not be.
Bathroom water Many contaminants can be included, and studies suggest that they can be found in bathroom sink water and drinking water, as well as coffee, tea and ice served onboard.
A 2019 survey by Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center confirmed that Select Airlines could provide passengers with unhealthy drinking water.
Of the 11 majors and 12 regional airlines surveyed, 15 airlines received onboard water health scores of 2 out of 5.
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Researchers say the federal government’s Aircraft Drinking Water Rules (ADWR) requires airlines to provide safe drinking water to passengers and crews.
Airlines should also test the water Bacteria and E. coliand sanitize and wash off the aircraft tanks four times a year.
“Or maybe airlines would choose to disinfect and flush once a year, but then they’ll have to be tested monthly,” the researchers noted.
“In the 2019 airline water survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, one of the federal agencies responsible for ensuring safe drinking water for aircraft, rarely imposes civil penalties on airlines in violation of ADWR.”
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Travel Experts And Gary Leff, author of Viewfromthewing.com, confirmed that “very little cleaning” occurs between most domestic flights.
“The planes aren’t that long. Airlines only make money when the plane is in the air,” said the Austin, Texas-based expert. “And while passengers are exhausted, crews often have to be kept in tidy and organized.”
“When inbound aircraft are delayed, the airline wants to make up for the time, and cleaning is often a sacrifice,” he noted. “Deep Cleans is one of the first when airlines face economic struggles.”
According to Leff, passenger hygiene can make the bathroom particularly dirty, allowing it to be “pretty rough” during flight.
Different airlines take different approaches and cleaning varies depending on the cabin and service class, he noted.
“I’m not going to suggest that it’s not safe. I just don’t like it,” Lev said.
“Please don’t enter [lavatory] With bare feet. Bring your own disinfectant. And if you are leaning so much, consider wiping the surface you are touching.
Senior Medical Analyst at Fox News Dr. Mark Siegel We also checked with Fox News Digital to see what bathrooms on “filthy” planes with water tend to look like, as various studies have shown.
“Tray tables are general surfaces that can be covered Bacteria and viruses“He warned.
“And while HEPA filter overhead is effective, it doesn’t really work until the plane is in the air and the filtration system is fully involved. [they] Don’t prevent the person next to you from coughing at you. ”
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Before and during flight, doctors suggested that they maintain good hydration. Fighting infections By moistening the nasal membrane.
He also encourages the use of disinfectants, wipes or gels to disinfect surfaces and hands.
“I prefer to wash my hands thoroughly with soap, but on planes I prefer disinfectants and wipes,” Siegel said.
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the EPA explained that the main purpose of the ADWR is “to ensure that it is provided to aircraft passengers and crews who require the development and implementation of aircraft water system operations and maintenance plans, including strategies for monitoring, sanitization and reporting.”
The EPA has revealed that drinking water safety is “co-regulated” by the EPA, FDA and FAA.
“The regulatory structure of all public water systems, including aircraft, relies on self-monitoring of results and reporting of results,” the agency said. “EPA will be responsible for monitoring the aircraft’s public water systems and will provide guidance to help them comply with ADWR.”
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A spokesman for the FAA told Digital in a statement that the FAA is a “air safety agency” and water quality is “not within the scope of our regulatory authority.”
Fox News Digital reached out to OSHA for comment.
