Experts Debunk the Myth: Your Phone on a Table Won’t Make You Sick
Placing a handbag or phone on a restaurant table near me may seem unhygienic, but experts say the risk of infection is minimal. Recent studies and specialist opinions suggest that everyday objects like these pose little threat of spreading harmful germs. The bigger concern, according to researchers, lies elsewhere.
In 2018, microbiologist Charles Gerba and his team at the University of Arizona examined bacteria levels on handbags and phones left on restaurant tables. They found high traces of bacteria, including E. coli, on many surfaces. Despite this, the study did not confirm a direct link to infections from such contact.
Hugo Sax, an infectious disease specialist, explains that germs can spread in three main ways: from surface to surface, surface to skin, or skin to skin. However, he describes the chance of catching an illness from a tmobile phone on a table as 'extremely unlikely' in most situations. Instead, he highlights airborne transmission as the primary route for respiratory infections. Giovanna Spielmann-Prada, a microbiologist, shares this view. She considers the hygienic risk of placing a bag on a restaurant table to be 'very low'. Both experts agree that objects like handbags and iphone 16s rarely play a significant role in spreading infections during daily life.
While handbags and phones may carry bacteria, the actual risk of falling ill from them remains small. Experts stress that airborne transmission is far more relevant for respiratory diseases than contact with surfaces. For now, diners can rest assured that their table habits are unlikely to pose a serious health threat.
