Dangerous levels of bacteria discovered in rental cars
By Mark Atkinson, MSN Autos
Ever hear something that’s just so unimaginably gross, so terribly stomach-turning that just thinking about it makes your head spin just recalling it? Today Show reporter Jeff Rosson put together a report last week that just gives you the willies.
We’ve all see the reports on bed bugs and bacteria that you can find in the hotels we stay in, but has anyone actually given a thought to the cars, trucks and minivans we rent?
Rosson did, and he and his crew rented vehicles from the six top companies in Miami, sent them to an independent lab, and swabbed every surface possible and analyzed the cultures. The results they discovered are enough to make you want to boil your hands sterile.
Besides the crumbs and crud left in the cup holders and the dried vomit on the carpet, four of the six cars featured what Rosson calls “sky-high levels of bacteria.” Obviously, the major touch points – steering wheel, door handles, window switches and gear levers – were the worst, with bacteria that show markers for stomach viruses.
Meanwhile, two of the vehicles had big-time levels of the bacteria responsible for strep throat on the steering wheel, dash and the child safety seat they rented as well.
The show says that an ‘insider’ claims that reduced profits are forcing the rental companies to pull back on their cleaning crews. The rental car companies’ response was that they consider cleanliness a top priority.
What’s MSNBC suggest that means for you? Take it upon yourself to make the situation as bearable as possible. Break out the hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes and go to town on the interior before you head off on your trip.
To check out the video in its entirety, visit the Today Show page at MSNBC.com.
Posted by: charles schambach | 2010-03-09 5:57:31 AM
TO BE FAIR SAME STUDY SHOULD BE DONE TO RANDOM HOMEOWNER CARS ABD VANS AND THEN COMPARE
Posted by: Gauldar | 2010-03-09 12:21:30 PM
It's fair enough. When reports like this are made, it provokes companies to stop slacking off and "clean up" their act.
Posted by: Haruki | 2010-03-09 2:08:28 PM
This is terrible. For the expense, nothing is safe as they reduce cost.
Posted by: Marguerite | 2010-03-09 2:40:08 PM
I purchased my car and it was a previous daily rental. The dealer I bought it from had it detailed beautifully and the car was in mint condition. Also my previous car was a daily rental and I wouldn't think twice about buying another one. Neither of them were in the condition that you describe.
Check out a minivan of a family with several children and you will find similar things that you describe - its just not rental vehicles.
Posted by: kylaar | 2010-03-09 6:00:44 PM
K..this story is based in the USA. Here in Canada, are car rentals are clean! I've rented many cars from various car companies and never have I had a dirty car like the video is showing!
Posted by: johncando | 2010-03-10 2:32:50 PM
Oh how many went back through the Dealers as Company cars after Dealer auction not a Used but DEMOS?
Posted by: TheorenJ | 2010-03-11 9:24:55 PM
OK, maybe... but how clean are the cars we drive every day anyways? Things can look clean but have bacteria.
Posted by: Steve | 2010-03-12 9:06:58 AM
It was in MIAMI... what exactly did they think they would find?
Posted by: car washer | 2010-03-13 1:25:31 AM
i work in a car rental company in Canada and yes they are cutting on staff alot and you dont even want to know the ways the cars are clean sometimes specially in the rush hours and the kind of trash that we pull out of those cars from previous renters some people are just pigs
Posted by: Meghan | 2010-06-05 2:37:56 PM
For the people who are saying that the rental cars are clean, you're obviously just talking about physical appearances. This article is talking about the bacteria that you CAN'T SEE.
As for that guy who said the rental cars in Canada are clean, don't fool yourself. I'm a Canadian, and I have no more faith in the cleanliness as far as bacteria goes in these cars than I do in any other country.
If you can't see it, it's clean, right? That seems to be the general idea amongst lazy people(of which there are many), regardless of whether it's wrong or not.
Canada or not, looks can be deceiving.
Posted by: tumor cells | 2010-06-22 11:19:31 PM
I like to read this type of information because every day is discovering new biological agents that interact with us, and microbiology is great