Bowsers a germ risk

A US study by Kimberly-Clark Professional has found fuel nozzle handles are a dangerous breeding ground for bacteria and viruses - worse than handles on mailboxes, escalator rails, parking meters and pedestrian buttons on traffic signals.

Infectious diseases expert Flavia Huygens warns that Australian fuel pump handles could harbour the dangerous superbug, MRSA. "I can well understand that can be the case," says the QUT associate professor.

She says the bug can lurk on public areas that people touch, particularly on fuel pump handles which are in use all day.

"It's highly likely with fuel pumps because this superbug is transmitted by skin contact and hand-to-mouth contact." She advised motorists to wash their hands after using a fuel pump. "It would be a recommendation for service stations to have alcohol wipes at the fuel pump. That would be an excellent idea.

"The Motor Trades Association of Australia confirms there are no particular industry procedures for hygiene of fuel pump handles and that it is up to the individual service stations.

Queensland spokesman Richard Payne says diesel fuel is another health concern for motorists. "Our members talk about how careful you have to be in handling diesel as it's potentially carcinogenic and can get into the blood stream."

RACQ spokesman Steve Spalding says diesel pumps are not kept clean enough. "Motorists with a late-model high-end European diesel car wouldn't expect to get a pump covered in grime with sticky diesel on the ground that they then track back into their car," he says.

"It would be a good customer service to offer a plastic glove. "A disposable glove would cost service stations a few cents and when you look at that against what the customer is spending on a tank of fuel it's a small cost to bear.

"It would show that they're thinking beyond their profits. "It also seems to me a simple step for them to make sure the staff monitor the pump area and keep the nozzle and hoses clean."