We all know the rubber duck, that famous bathtime toy and accessory that is tender, fun, and that has also accompanied us to multiple generations. For many parents, they have been one of the elements that help us make our children's bath time more pleasant. But should we stop using them?
A recent study analyzed the interior of this tender toy, and found that inside, After a few weeks of typical use during bath time, there were hundreds of bacteria and fungi.
The study
Made by a group of researchers from the United States and Switzerland, The study analyzed "the dark side" of plastic materials that came into contact with water, among them, the famous rubber duck that many use at bath time.
For the study, rubber ducklings used by royal families were taken and different experiments were also carried out, simulating conditions such as those of regular use in any home. For 11 weeks, they exposed these types of toys to different liquids, such as clean water and dirty water after bathing, which contained soap and body fluids.
After this time had elapsed, they cut the rubber ducks and they found that there were between five and 75 million cells per square centimeter on the inner surface of these bath toys.
It was also found that there was a difference between the toys that were exposed to the different types of water. In the case of toys used by families during a royal bath, 60% were found to have fungal species, while this appeared in all those who were submerged in dirty water.
Potentially pathogenic bacteria, that is, those that can cause diseases, were identified in 80% of the total toys used in the study
Why does this happen?
Actually, what this study shows us is not a novelty, since it is well known that any place where moisture is stored is an environment conducive to the growth of fungi or bacteria. In the case of the famous rubber ducks, The plastic material provides the necessary conditions for said fungi and bacteria to appear when immersed in water.
According to the researchers, When manufactured with low quality polymers, they release organic carbon compounds, which serves as a nutrient for these bacteria colonies to grow inside the rubber ducks when warm water stays inside.
If we also add body fluids such as sweat or urine, as well as the different personal cleaning products such as soap that are used during the bath and that come into contact with water, the conditions are even more favorable for this type of bacteria .
The researchers comment that during bath time it is common for children to use these rubber toys by crushing them and throwing water towards their faces. On the one hand, This could be positive to strengthen your immune system, but it could also end in an eye or ear infection, or even a gastrointestinal infection..
So, should we stop using them?
The researchers comment that deeper studies are needed to analyze how dangerous these types of bacteria can be or not for children. They also suggest that more than stop using them, we must demand better regulations in the materials that are used for the manufacture of this type of bath toys. But what to do while this happens?
In social networks it is not the first time that parents have touched on this subject, since some time ago the photograph that a mother shared when she met a lair inside Sophie's famous teether the giraffe went viral, since when she perceived a strange smell , decided to cut it to check inside and found that it was full of mold.
One way to clean the bath toys, which we had previously shared when we shared the case of the giraffe biter Sophie, is Soak them for an hour in a mixture of half a cup of white vinegar in a liter of hot water, rinse thoroughly several times and let them air dry.
Another suggestion of many parents on social networks, is that before using or giving this rubber duck to our children, let's seal the holes they have with silicone or glue, in order to prevent water from entering and bacteria accumulating inside. Maybe we take a little fun, but they can still be a tender -and sure- companion at bath time.
Photos | Pixabay
Via | Medical Xpress
In Babies and more | An alert mother of the lair that Giraffe Sophie found inside the famous teether
