Hand Washing Rising In America – A new study has shown that the number of times Americans wash their hands after using a public restroom is on the rise, however, men’s numbers are still lower than their female counterparts.
6,028 adults were observed in public restrooms across the country during the month of August. The researchers found that 85 percent of people washed their hands after using the restroom, which is up from the 77 percent that was recorded in 2007. According to the American Society for Microbiology and the American Cleaning Institute, this is the highest percentage to have been recorded since the study began in 1996.
Rates rose for each gender, with men coming it at 77 percent, compared to the 66 percent that was recorded in 2007. 93 percent of women washed their hands in 2010, compared with the 88 percent that was documented previously.
The public was observed at six locations in four cities: Turner Field in Atlanta; The Museum of Science and Industry and the Shedd Aquarium, located in Chicago; Grand Central Station and Penn Station, both in New York City; Ferry Terminal Farmers Market, in San Francisco.
Chicago and San Francisco had the highest rates, and New York City the lowest.