Is your phone really dirtier than a toilet seat? | Lotti Tajouri | TEDxBrisbane

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You wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating and when caring for someone who is sick. But what about the object you touch thousands of times a day? After witnessing healthcare workers use smartphones during the births of both his children, molecular biologist Dr Lotti Tajouri began investigating an overlooked hygiene risk hiding in plain sight. His research uncovered thousands of microorganisms living on mobile phones, including bacteria, viruses and drug-resistant pathogens capable of causing serious infections. Drawing on research spanning hospitals, international travel and biosecurity, Lotti reveals why smartphones may be quietly undermining modern hygiene practices — and makes the case that if we treat our phones like a third hand, we should be cleaning them like one too. Dr Lotti Tajouri is a molecular biologist whose work focuses on infectious disease, biosecurity and the unseen microbial worlds humans interact with every day. His research spans public health, f

Tags: Bacteria, Big problems, English, Global Issues, Public health, Risk, Security, TEDxTalks, Virus, [TEDxEID:58646]