According to a University of Arizona study, the bottoms of our soles and cleanliness of our floors go hand in hand. Evidently, our shoes carry “all kinds of nasty germs and chemicals from the great outdoors.” The study showed that the soles of our footwear regularly contain (and as a result spread) traces of countless potentially unhealthy agents, such as pollen and salmonella.
Alarmingly, the study points out the fact that an estimated nine different kinds of pathogens can flourish on the bottom of shoes.
The largest study of its kind ever conducted showed that the soles of our shoes are also carrying and spreading things like:
- Harmful pesticides hiding in dust. The EPA states that chronic pesticide exposure has been found to bring about a plethora of health issues, specifically when it comes to pregnant women and young kids.
- Toxic coal tar. This is a carcinogen used in common concrete sealants.
- Lead. Even though the use of lead paint was made illegal in 1978 and removed from petrol in 1996, lead is still rampant in its occurrence. Lead has been shown to reduce IQ levels in children, cause behavioral disorders, anemia, mental retardation and irreversible nerve damage.
- Mercury. If you need somebody to tell you the dangers of mercury, you may have bigger problems than dirty floors!
The study also shows that young children are at the greatest risk when it comes to being harmed by what our shoes carry. Children’s growing and developing nervous and immune systems are especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals and pathogens.
So, how can you possibly confirm whether your floor is completely clean? For starters, get in touch with us. We are a full-service company with the people, equipment and quality control systems to provide you with responsive and steadfast cleaning services each and every time. Keeping your floors clean and sanitized regularly can help ensure all those nasty germs don’t wreak havoc in your facility.