Germ Tracker: Study Reveals High Bacteria Levels on Footwear.New Research Commissioned by Rockport Unveils Benefits of Machine Washable machine washable adj → lavable a máquina machine washable machine adj [garment] → lavable en machine machine washable machine Footwear CANTON, Mass. -- More than 90 percent of bacteria collected on worn shoes can be eliminated with one wash cycle, according to a study released today by Dr. Charles Gerba, microbiologist and professor at the University of Arizona (body, education) University of Arizona - The University was founded in 1885 as a Land Grant institution with a three-fold mission of teaching, research and public service. , and The Rockport [R] Company (www.rockport.com). The study--which investigated germs and microbes collected on footwear--found large numbers of bacteria both on the bottom and inside of shoes; averaging 421,000 units of bacteria on the outside of the shoe and 2,887 on the inside. Some of the bacteria found on the shoes included: Escherichia coli Escherichia coli (ĕsh'ərĭk`ēə kō`lī), common bacterium that normally inhabits the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, but can cause infection in other parts of the body, especially the urinary tract. , known to cause intestinal and urinary tract infections urinary tract infection (UTI), n infection in one or more of the structures that make up the urinary system. Occurs more often in women and is most commonly caused by bacteria. , meningitis and diarrheal disease; Klebsiella klebsiella Any of the rod-shaped bacteria that make up the genus Klebsiella. They are gram-negative (see gram stain), thrive better without oxygen than with it, and do not move. K. pneumonia, a common source for wound and bloodstream infections as well as pneumonia; and Serratia ficaria, a rare cause of infections in the respiratory tract respiratory tract n. The air passages from the nose to the pulmonary alveoli, including the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. Respiratory tract and wounds. The goal of the study was to verify bacteria levels on footwear and the effectiveness of machine washable shoes in reducing those levels inside and outside the shoe surface. The project also investigated the role of shoes in the movement of bacteria from contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. floor spaces to other surfaces. "The common occurrence (96 percent) of coliform coliform /col·i·form/ (kol´i-form) pertaining to fermentative gram-negative enteric bacilli, sometimes restricted to those fermenting lactose, e.g., Escherichia, Klebsiella, or Enterobacter. and E. coli E. coli: see Escherichia coli. E. coli in full Escherichia coli Species of bacterium that inhabits the stomach and intestines. E. coli can be transmitted by water, milk, food, or flies and other insects. bacteria on the outside of the shoes indicates frequent contact with fecal material, which most likely originates from floors in public restrooms or contact with animal fecal material outdoors," said Gerba. "Our study also indicated that bacteria can be tracked by shoes over a long distance into your home or personal space after the shoes were contaminated with bacteria." Simply washing the shoes with detergent was found to eliminate the fecal bacteria and reduce all bacteria by 90 percent or more. *EDITORS NOTE: To set up an interview with Chuck Gerba, please contact Jilliann Smith listed above. Rockport Machine Washable Collection The release of the study coincides with the launch of Rockport's new spring Machine Washable Collection--fashion casual footwear for men and women constructed with high-quality, renewable leathers. The materials used in the collection are resistant to water damage which helps prevent color and texture loss when wet. Traditional materials can become stiff and fade after washing. The Machine Washable collection is sold at national retailers, premium independent stores, Rockport store locations and on the web at www.rockport.com. Footwear Study Methodology New shoes from the Rockport Machine Washable collection were worn for two weeks by 10 study participants. Following the wear trial period, the bottom and inside of the shoes were sampled for total numbers of bacteria and coliform/E. coli. Scientists washed the footwear in a standard washing machine using conditions suggested by the manufacturer: cold water, 12 minute wash cycle using detergent, air dry for 24 hours Adv. 1. for 24 hours - without stopping; "she worked around the clock" around the clock, round the clock . Wash water temperature was 24oC. Snapshot: Footwear Study Results * Coliforms were detected outside of the shoes on 96% of the shoes. E. coli was detected on 7 of the shoe bottoms (27%). No coliforms were detected on the inside of the shoe. * Transfer of bacteria from the shoes to uncontaminated tiles ranged from 90% to 99%. * The average number of bacteria on Rockport shoes before washing and after washing is showing a 99% reduction in the numbers of bacteria on the outside of the shoe and a 90% reduction of bacteria on the inside of the shoe after washing. [TABLE OMITTED] "Life of a Shoe" Online Video To further illustrate the prevalence of germs and bacteria on footwear today Rockport launched www.LIFEOFaSHOE.com, a micro site featuring a video short that follows a pair of feet (or shoes) navigating through an average city day. The video demonstrates how vulnerable shoes are to bacteria and exactly how we track it to other locations, including our homes. Visit the site to enter to win a free Bosch washer and dryer and to upload your own video portraying a day-in-the-life in Rockport shoes. Rockport Machine Washable Lab in Local Markets To give consumers the opportunity to test the germs and bacteria on their own shoes, Rockport will host mini-Machine Washable Laboratories in select shopping malls and outside participating Macy's locations nationwide. The Rockport lab tour will include three cities: Chicago, State Street (5/1); Phoenix, Fashion Square Mall (5/4) and San Francisco, Union Square (5/17). Tava Smiley, former host of TLC's Clean Sweep, will be in each market to talk about how to avoid tracking bacteria into your home. For more information about The Rockport Company, please visit: www.rockport.com. About Rockport The Rockport Company, LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control , a leading brand within the adidas Group corporate portfolio, designs, distributes and markets lifestyle footwear and accessories for men and women worldwide. The Rockport Company, LLC is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.rockport.com. About Chuck Gerba Chuck Gerba is a professor in the Departments of Soil, Water and Environmental Science (College of Agriculture), and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (College of Public Health) at the University of Arizona. He obtained his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Miami This article is about the university in Coral Gables, Florida. For the university in Oxford, Ohio, see Miami University. The University of Miami (also known as Miami of Florida,[2] UM,[3] or just The U , Florida and was a faculty member in the Department of Virology virology, study of viruses and their role in disease. Many viruses, such as animal RNA viruses and viruses that infect bacteria, or bacteriophages, have become useful laboratory tools in genetic studies and in work on the cellular metabolic control of gene expression and Epidemiology at Baylor College of Medicine Baylor College of Medicine is a private medical school located in Houston, Texas, USA on the grounds of the Texas Medical Center. It has been consistently rated the top medical school in Texas and among the best in the United States. from 1974 to 1981. |
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