Next time you turn on the shower think about what could be spraying in your face. A new study conducted in the states have found that showering could actually be harmful to your health. According to the scientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder nearly a third of shower heads harbour ’significant levels of mycobacterium avium’ – a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease.

Further tests carried out showed that the levels of bacteria found were more than 100 times the background levels in municipal water.

ShowerHead

So every time you are in the shower it is possible that your face is being sprayed with pathogen. According to the study, these pathogen water droplets are harmful in the sense that if they are inhaled into the lungs they could lead to health problems. The symptoms experienced could be a persistent dry cough, tiredness and shortness of breath. However, due to our body defence mechanisms, it is unlikely to cause a great deal of harm. People with vulnerable immune systems are more likely to be at danger from having these symptoms. .

Should you be worried?

Before you start to find alternative ways to bathe, you should not worry too much according to the UK bathroom industry. The UK bathroom industry has pointed out that these tests were carried out in the US and this carries a huge significance. The study was also only based on 50 shower heads. It is more than likely that a similar study carried out here would produce very different results.

While this study is beneficial in pointing out a concern, people can avoid these heath risks by regularly keeping their showers and shower heads clean. Unsurprisingly the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) said that the UK shower manufacturers experienced a high number of calls from worried consumers once these finding were released. BMA responded by reassuring the consumers that the UK carries out rigorous tests in order to ensure that the materials used do not support the growth of microbes which allow the formation of bacteria when in contact with water.

So what can be taken from this study?

It is important to note that we are constantly exposed to microbes on a daily basis. Mycobacterium avium is hard to avoid as it is known to occur in water, particularly in hot water supplies and aerosolised water, such as fountains. For us as humans this is not a major concern as our bodies are intelligently designed to defend ourselves against these harmful bacteria. However those with weaker immune systems should be a little concerned and take extra care in protecting themselves. It is important to keep remembering that the study was only based on 50 shower heads. Therefore it is not too clear how widespread this bacteria problem is. It is also unclear as to whether it is actually even a problem in the UK as this test was carried out in the US.

Still thinking of bathing the old fashioned way?

So are the experts encouraging people to ditch the shower and go back to having more traditional baths? Not really if you normally a healthy person with no specific immune system problems. If you do have a weaker immune system, some extra caution might be required.

Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about central heating, plumbers, plumber Sevenoaks, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.