Tuesday May 8, 2001

New York City Guck

Millions trek through New York City every day, carrying more than just briefcases and cameras. We're talking bad bacteria. Grimy germs all over popular places like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, subways, taxis, even in Central Park.

In Times Square where germs from around the world gather, they're on everything we touch and everywhere we sit. Just how bad are these germs? We took our sterile swabs to the sites of the city.

Our undercover investigation found a city filled with filthy tourist traps. We swabbed more than 50 things tourists touch, tool around in and ride on. That plate and many others contaminated with potentially dangerous bacteria like the E. coli and fecal material we found on ATM touch screens, public water fountains, and bathroom sinks.

Tips for staying as germ free as possible.

1. Wash your hands frequently. 2. Carry and use disposable hand wipes or antibacterial soap. 3. Wipe off any surface typically touched by others. 4. Keep your hands away from your face, mouth and nose in between hand washes.

We also found nasty stuff that can cause serious skin rashes on subways rails, in cabs, and on binoculars at the Empire State Building. Renowned microbiologist Dr. Margie Morgan says, "There is an obvious gross-out factor knowing that there's organisms associated with feces on some of these things."

Dr. Morgan examined our sterile swabs and was most concerned about what was on the world famous carousel in Central Park. "An organism called staph aureus which is somewhat of a serious organism and it could lead to toxic shock."

We were shocked the man in charge had such a tough time remembering when or what he used to clean the carousel. The taxi's didn't fare so well either. A number of them transporting germs that can cause skin irritations. There was also fecal material in the public water fountain we checked at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square.

So before you take a drink, take a ride or take a peek with millions of strangers in the Big Apple, be warned. if you're not careful, it might take a bite out of you.