Experts Find Horrifying Bacteria Hidden In The Average Handbag

EXPERTS have demonstrated just how bacteria-ridden the average handbag is. 

For many women, our handbags are our life. Among other things they usually contain your purse, keys, phone and make-up – but along with your essentials, you are also toting around plenty of germs. 

Katrina Cravy of Fox's Contact 6 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, paired up with David Metzger, who owns Accelerated Analytical laboratories, to test just how full-of-germs the average hand bag is. 

David said: "The moist environment of a zipped up bag could potentially harbour a fair number of bacteria”. 

Before they started the experiment, there were already types of bacteria that were expected.

Laboratory supervisor Thomas Hirsch said: "We're going to find a lot of skin bacteria, obviously

"What you're hoping you don't want to find is, you know, bathroom bacteria." 

The group then got down to swabbing handbags – including Katrina’s. 

Each handbag was then swabbed in a variety of different areas including the handle, outside, inside and bottom. 

Katrina then headed out to the Milwaukee Public Market and asked four more women if she could test their bags. 

Once the results were in, it was found that the dirtiest part of the bags, on average, was the bottom - followed closely by the handle. 

As predicted, the most common bacteria found was skin. 

Thomas explained: "You're handling your purse with your hands. You're going to have a lot of skin bacteria”. 

Among less inviting germs that were found were agents related to ear infections and bathroom bacteria. 

As a result of the research, David has some advice for everyone who carries a bag, he advised: 

"Women love their purses. Take care of them. Clean them up. We'll all be a little bit safer”. 

Something to think about next time you pop your bag on the floor...