A recent and disturbing study led by the University of Arizona revealed some shocking statistics about the bacterial threat posed by shoes. Researchers had an even more shocking find—a whopping 96% of shoes carried coliform bacteria. This pathogen is a type of bacteria often associated with the disposal of fecal waste. This surprising discovery has huge implications for the overall state of our hygiene, most notably the long-standing argument of whether we should wear shoes in the house.
The goal of the study was to determine whether or not bacteria colonized our shoes, the true and sneaky source of household filth and germs. The study authors examined multiple shoe types. For one, they found that carrying harmful bacteria into homes poses a significant risk to human health. Coliform bacteria are an outdated and indirect measure of the presence of other pathogens. This allows shoes to be dirty and walk around spreading MRSA and other diseases.
The implications of these findings are profound. Once people start to consider their footwear choices for indoors, they discover something amazing. By wearing shoes in other people’s homes, they are carrying in potentially dangerous microorganisms to their doorsteps. Since coliform bacteria are indicators of possible fecal contamination and the transmission of disease, public health experts encourage avoiding these activities to reduce these risks.
Given this recent study, everyone should reconsider their shoe wearing behaviors with regards to wearing shoes inside the house. These findings underscore a powerful but often overlooked strategy for advancing health equity. Taking off your shoes when you come home can help shield you and your family from harmful toxins. The majority of Americans believed that this practice was a personal choice or cultural preference. Today, there’s more evidence than ever to suggest that a health rationale is what truly lies behind it.