If you’re like most people, you probably have these toys in your bathroom right now. Yes, we’re talking about those cute little rubber duckies – which are loved by both kids and adults alike.

Experts, however, are warning us that these seemingly-harmless bath-time staples are actually dangerous. According to Swiss and American researchers, these toys are a haven for bacteria.

Studies have found that rubber ducks are extremely filthy!

Conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, ETH Zurich and the University of Illinois, the study tells us that 4 out of 5 rubber ducks contained “potentially pathogenic bacteria”.

Research authors said that when the toys were squeezed, they discovered bacteria such as Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that is “often implicated in hospital-acquired infections”.

This will make you throw those cute bath toys away.

Published in the Biofilms and Microbiomes journal, the study tells us that researchers found a great volume of bacteria and fungues in the ducks – mainly because of the cheap polymers used in these plastic toys.

This is made worse by bodily fluids (such as urine and sweat) and even soap in bathwater since they add microbes and nutrients that lead to bacteria growth once stored inside the ducks.

According to Lisa Neu, microbiologist and lead study author, they also examined other bath toy animals.

She shared:

“We’ve found very big differences between different bath animals. “One of the reasons was the material, because it releases carbon that can serve as food for the bacteria.”

Although some bacteria can help boost the immune system of children, they may likewise lead to eye, ear and intestinal infections, specified the researchers. They likewise suggested that bacterial and fungal growth can be prevented if higher quality polymers are used for creating the ducks.

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