Airport security trays carry more viruses than toilet surfaces, scientists find

Plastic security trays harbour the highest levels of viruses at airports, a study has found. Pandemic experts found evidence of viruses on 10% of airport surfaces tested – which also included shop payment terminals, staircase rails, passport-checking counters and children’s play areas. The various surfaces were swabbed at Helsinki airport at peak time as part of a scientific investigation carried out by experts from the University of Nottingham and the Finnish national institute for health and welfare during the winter of 2016. The research discovered viruses were most commonly found on the plastic trays that are circulated along the passenger queue at the hand luggage X-ray checkpoint. Experts concluded that hand-washing and careful coughing hygiene are crucial to the control of contagious infections in public areas. <br/>