Bacterial dangers of your smartphone and tablet

Your smartphone and tablet could be hazardous for your health, a Sunday Post investigation has revealed.

Our probe has found the gadgets can be bug-laden dangers, with worrying levels of bacteria left on them after use.

Health experts say very regular cleaning of screens is required to minimise health risks.

We took samples from a number of popular Apple and Samsung phones and tablets and had them analysed.

Professor Kofi Aidoo is a leading expert on bacterial toxins and food-borne diseases at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Only two of the eight devices tested showed no traces at all of contamination. The other six showed “surprising” presence of some bacteria, with two in particular showing what was classed as having “heavy contamination”.

“The presence of bacteria Staph aureus on the phone swabs wasn’t too surprising as it is present on the human body,” said Professor Aidoo.

“However, I was surprised to find coliforms on the swabs. They are always present in the digestive tracts of animals, including humans and pets, and are found in their wastes.

“They are also present in plant and soil material and are best indicators of poor hygiene and of faecal pollutants.

“A rare strain of E. Coli, (E. Coli 0157:H7), which can cause serious illness, belongs to this group of coliform bacteria.”

Professor Aidoo added: “Bacteria are capable of growing on material surfaces. I’d advise very regular cleaning and wouldn’t recommend sharing of these devices.”