Despite rising pollution and unhygienic environment besides hot and humid summer conditions, 32 percent Mumbaikars do not take a bath daily, a new survey has revealed.

This has put them at an enhanced risk of contracting infections and diseases, but Mumbaikars do not take the threats seriously, said the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA), which carried out the survey among a small sample size of 600. The survey revealed that, besides skipping a daily bath, a large number of people use only beauty soaps as against anti-bacterial soaps.

"They seem more concerned about removal of dirt and freshness to protection against health ailments like diarrhoea and flu. Germ removal drives only 11 percent to use an anti-bacterial soap," said the survey entitled "Bathing Trend, Belief and Behaviour". NIMA Mumbai president L.G. Jadhav explained a miniscule six percent bathe with anti-bacterial soap while 91 percent use beauty soaps.

"The purpose of bathing -- killing bacteria that could affect personal hygiene -- was lost in most cases as people are either unaware of or don't care about the health-related aspect of bathing," Jadhav said. This was boosted by the finding that only four percent of the daily bathers using an anti-bacterial soap fell sick every month against 69 percent of the others who go with beauty soaps. Another unhealthy revelation was that only 21 percent of people take a night bath, meaning a majority carries the heat, sweat and grime throughout the day. While eight percent respondents admitted that protection from germs and illnesses was the factor motivating them to select a bath soap, 11 percent said they were keen to protect themselves against germs and infections.

However, a large number -- 49 percent -- said they bathe to feel fresh. Jadhav added 96 percent of those polled are exposed to the polluted Mumbai environment, heat and sweltering conditions for six hours or more. "As a result, 71 percent of those who do not bathe daily reported various ailments like flu, fever, diarrhoea or eye infections, at least once a month," Jadhav said.