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Germaphobes Get a Handle on Bathrooms

Inventors help the wary leave the loo without touching doorknobs

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 15, 2008 2:40 PM CST
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(Newser) – For germaphobes, few sights elicit as much terror as doorknob in a public bathroom. Sure, you washed your hands, “but then someone else didn’t wash their hands and you have to touch the same door handle,” explains the inventor of the SanitGrip, an L-shaped, elbow-operated handle that helps just-cleaned hands stay that way. And he's not the only one grabbing the hygienic opportunity, the Wall Street Journal notes.

Automated and foot-operated doors, and even automatic disinfectant dispensers, are flooding the market. Studies show 34% of males and 12% of females don’t wash their hands after relieving themselves, but one preventive-medicine expert urges less worry: “It’s good to be clean, but one can become obsessive.”

A promotional hand-sanitizer targets users of shared computer keyboards. Products like 'Purell' and other hand-sanitizers have become big business in the past few years.
A promotional hand-sanitizer targets users of shared computer keyboards. Products like 'Purell' and other hand-sanitizers have become big business in the past few years.   ((c) buncheduptv)
The clean-hands bathroom door paradox has even led legislature to get involved, as last year, Massachusetts state Rep. James Vallee introduced a bill that would require all public-bathroom doors to open outward.
The clean-hands bathroom door paradox has even led legislature to get involved, as last year, Massachusetts state Rep. James Vallee introduced a bill that would require all public-bathroom doors to open...   ((c) powerbooktrance)
Helping people avoid germs has long been a source of inspiration for inventors. Their latest conundrum? How to open the bathroom door once your hands are clean.
Helping people avoid germs has long been a source of inspiration for inventors. Their latest conundrum? How to open the bathroom door once your hands are clean.   (Shutterstock.com)
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Why washing your hands could be the best medicine
New York Times

No, really, employees must wash hands before returning to work
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Korean organization promises 'toilet revolution'
Associated Press

 
bathroom hygiene • bacteria • restrooms • inventions • bathroom • toilet • germaphobia • SanitGrasp • James Vallee • Safe-T-Gard • Sanidoor • Simon Sassoon • HYSO • Sanihandles • Matthew Fulkerson

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