Bacteria Facts

Farts are created mostly by intestinal bacteria fermenting undigested food in your colon.

Wearing headphones for extended periods creates a warm, moist environment in your ear canal that promotes bacterial growth, which is why audiologists recommend cleaning your earbuds regularly.

Safe drinking water can contain up to 500,000 bacteria per liter and still meet EPA safety standards.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

A white coating on your tongue indicates bacterial buildup - the thicker and whiter the coating, the more bacteria are present.

Most biological laundry detergents contain enzymes—special proteins originally derived from microorganisms—that actively break down stains like grass, blood, and food.

There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.

Bacteria that cause tooth decay, acne, tuberculosis, and leprosy can be cured with cashews.

Perspiration is odorless; it is the bacteria on the skin that creates body odor.

The distinctive smell in the air after it has been raining is caused by bacteria called 'actinomycetes'.

The average office desk has 400 times more bacteria than a toilet.

Only about 1% of the estimated one trillion microbial species on Earth are known to cause disease in humans.

A toothbrush within 6 feet of a toilet can get airborne bacteria from flushing.

Brass doorknobs automatically disinfect themselves in about 8 hours.

Drying your hands with paper towel will reduce the bacterial count by 45 - 60% on your hands. However, using a hand dryer will increase the bacteria on your hands by up to 255% because it blows out bacteria already living in the, conveniently, warm moist environment.

There are about 1,400 different species of bacteria in your belly button.

About 38 trillion bacteria live in your gut alone—weighing roughly 2 kg. That's heavier than your brain.

Hundreds of different species of microbes live on and in the human body, with the gut alone hosting over 1,000 bacterial species.

On average, every dollar bill you touch has over 3,000 different types of bacteria.

Contrary to popular belief, plastic cutting boards are more likely to harbor bacteria than wood ones. New plastic boards are easier to clean, but ones with cuts are nearly impossible to completely disinfect, whereas wood ones absorb and kill bacteria, regardless of age or use.

You have roughly equal numbers of bacterial and human cells—about 38 trillion of each. You're a 50/50 partnership with microbes.