Hidden dangers on shopping trolleys

TAKING a trip to the supermarket can be dangerous, as research has shown that the handles of the shopping trolleys are a hotbed for bacteria and viruses which can make shoppers sick, especially children.

In some countries, some grocery chains provide anti-bacterial wipes for customers to clean the handles before use but this practice does not seem to have caught on in Malaysia despite the trolleys being an essential part of a shopping trip.

A study in South Korea by the Korean Consumer Protection Board found that the handles of shopping trolleys are the most polluted objects frequently touched by people, with more bacteria found there than on public toilet door handles.

Studies have also shown that each shopping trolley handle has more than one million germs, which can be ingested by toddlers who touch the handles before touching their mouths.

Researchers stressed that trolley handles are one of the most contaminated public surfaces, even dirtier than most public restrooms.

According to them, the restrooms are regularly cleaned and disinfected while the shopping trolleys are rarely sanitised. Most stores were found to clean their trolleys only several times a year. Swabs taken from the handles have shown the presence of germs, viruses, bacteria and bodily fluids.

A microbiologist at the University of Arizona Environmental Reserach Laboratory, Dr Kelly Reynolds, who is doing research to determine why certain bacteria find their way into people’s homes made a startling discovery: one in five shopping trolleys tested positive for bodily fluids - blood, saliva or urine - that could transmit germs.

A specialist in Internal Medicine at a hospital in Seremban, Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Ali, said as far as medical research is concerned, no work was done in this area.

However, he added that during the outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1), the hospital launched a large-scale public awareness programme to educate the public on ways to contain the spread of the pandemic and other infectious diseases through use of public amenities.

“We advised on effective measures through public education. One effective way to control the spread of infectious diseases is by maintaining personal hygiene,’’ said Dr Mohd Arifin.

He said there were a number of researches done overseas in this area as the public was concerned with the spread of infectious diseases via transmission from one person to another through unhygienic shopping trolleys.

“In foreign countries, cleanliness of shopping trolleys are taken seriously but locally it falls under general cleanliness, similar to guidelines issued for public toilets,” said Dr Mohd Arifin.

Carrefour Malaysia and Singapore marketing and communications director Low Ngai Yuen said the company had strict cleanliness guidelines.

“Our trolleys are cleaned before being returned to the entrance after every use.

“Before opening, at midday and before peak hours, the trolleys are given a cleaning again and the handlebars are wiped down with disinfectant,” she said.

According to her, employees were also prohibited from using the trolleys for any other purpose, as there were specific trolleys for taking out the trash, usually without advertisement panelling.

Meanwhile, Giant Malaysia corporate communication manager (marketing department) Zamri Maulan said the chain provided shopping trolleys to customers at no charge and appointed cleaners to clean the trolleys daily.

“Trolley-cleaning is one of the specific areas under our contract with the cleaning contractor. Our store managers will inspect and ensure our shopping trolleys are cleaned and sanitised every day,” Zamri said.

Aeon Co (M) Berhad corporate communications (corporate/public relations) CSR and corporate branding division manager Zakimarhaini Mohd Said said trolley pushers employed by Jusco were reminded to clean the trolleys thoroughly weekly.

“Trolleys that have stains or are dirty will usually be isolated from the trolley bays. They are thoroughly cleaned before being returned to the bay,” Zakimarhaini said.

She said the company had guidelines for all its outlets and safety and cleanliness of shopping tools were among the priorities.

*Ref: The Star

On the beaches of Costa Rica

World Wide shame  in 

COSTA RICA

See the 2nd picture too, where the female turtle cannot cover up her own eggs, before the intruder steals away what Nature has given her to protect her young.  These people have unfortunately, taught their children nothing for the future generation to cherish.  Look at these children and they do not know anything about conservation of Marine Life Protection and look at the disastrous road their parents are taking too..............

 The turtle eggs are stolen to be sold.

                  

What have they all gained for the future of Costa Rica's Marine Life protection?

Please distribute widely 

The Turtle eggs  are stolen to be sold

THEATRE

Untuk peminat teater di luar sana..jom ramai2 kita pergi

BERITA SETEMPAT

Dipetik dari Harian Metro 29/3/2010

Gurauan rakan melampau

KUALA LUMPUR: Gara-gara gurauan nakal mahu memberikan RM2 jika rakan sekelas berani menumbuk dinding sebanyak 35 kali, seorang murid perempuan tahun lima di bandar raya ini dicabul termasuk diraba payudaranya oleh temannya itu selepas dia gagal menunaikannya.
Malah, kanak-kanak perempuan yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Wati, berkata tiga lagi rakan lelaki yang lain turut ‘tumpang sekaki’ dengan mengejek sesuatu mengenai payudaranya.
Dalam kejadian Oktober tahun lalu itu katanya, dia berseloroh dengan rakan lelaki di kelasnya yang ‘tunjuk kuat’ supaya menumbuk dinding kelas itu sebanyak 35 kali jika benar-benar gagah. “Ketika itu guru tiada di kelas. Saya katakan akan beri RM2 jika mereka berani menumbuk dinding itu. Bagaimanapun, tiada seorang daripada mereka berani menyahut cabaran saya itu. “Saya kemudian pergi ke tandas sebelum kembali ke kelas. Seorang daripada rakan kelas lelaki itu datang kepada saya sambil menunjukkan penumbuknya yang merah kerana mendakwa menumbuk dinding. Oleh itu, dia menuntut RM2 seperti dijanjikan.

“Tetapi saya katakan padanya bahawa dia tidak melakukan aksi tumbuk depan saya dan menipu. Namun, dia marah sebelum meminta juga RM2 itu. “Saya kemudian beri dia tidak sampai RM2 dan dia marah sebelum bertindak meraba payudara saya,” katanya yang trauma dengan kejadian sehinggakan terpaksa meminta ayahnya menukarkan dia ke sekolah lain. Katanya, dia merayu supaya tidak diperlakukan sebegitu namun tidak diendahkan malah tiga lagi rakan lelaki yang lain membuat riuh-rendah sambil mengatakan sesuatu mengenai payudaranya. “Sejak kejadian itu dan hari berikutnya saya bimbang untuk ke sekolah. Takut kejadian itu berulang. Apatah lagi, budak lelaki di kelas masih mengganggu saya dengan perkataan lucah,” katanya. Sementara itu, bapa mangsa, berkata dia kecewa dengan pihak sekolah kerana tidak mengambil tindakan sewajarnya terhadap empat murid lelaki yang melakukan gangguan seksual terhadap anak sulungnya itu. Malah, katanya, dia terpaksa menukarkan anaknya itu dan seorang lagi anak perempuannya awal tahun ini ke sekolah khas untuk perempuan kerana mangsa takut jika berjumpa lelaki. “Apa yang menghampakan, guru besar dan guru hal ehwal murid sekolah itu mengatakan ia hanya gurauan antara kanak-kanak,” katanya.


***Anak-anak remaja zaman sekarang ni...macam2 perangainya