Mythbusters Episode 12

Its out and the folks at mythbusters have proved it: Fecal coliforms bacteria can grow in toothbrush bristles.

They tested 24 toothbrushes and 2 controls that they themselves used for 30 days. The result? Of the 24 toothbrushes , all 24 tested positive for poop germs- that's 100%. Even the 2 control toothbrushes they stored in the kitchen cabinet tested positive for fecal germs!

The following is courtesy of: http://www.mythbustersfanclub.com/mb2/content/view/19/27/

The Myth: (in Adam's own words) "The idea behind this myth is the bristles of a wet toothbrush are an ideal collection surface for things like airborne bacteria."

The Experts:

Heather Joseph-Witham says that some people believe you shouldn't leave your toothbrush in the bathroom, particularly next to the toilet. Dr. Joanne Engel - Microbiologist from UCSF - tests all of the toothbrushes for Fecal Coliform bacteria

Quotable Moments:

Jamie: There's poo everywhere!

Action/ Results: Adam builds two toothbrush racks in the bathroom. They hang twenty-four toothbrushes in the racks. Then, every day for a month, Adam and Jamie go in, wash their hands with antibacterial soap, then wet each toothbrush , put toothpaste on each one, then rinse each one out with distilled water. They also leave two toothbrushes in a glass on the top of the toilet, and they actually brush their teeth with those. They also have two toothbrushes that they keep in the office, away from the bathroom. These also get the wetting, toothpaste, rinse treatment. They also keep track of how much business goes on in the bathroom for that month.

At the end of the month, Dr. Engel comes over and tests each toothbrush for fecal coliform by rubbing them on a Petri dish and in some broth. She incubates the dishes and the test tubes, and then shows the guys that all of the toothbrushes , including the two in the office, had fecal coliform on them. Myth true - fecal coliform bacteria do grow in toothbrush bristles.

However, when Adam asks if we should be concerned about this, Dr. Engel says no.

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