Cell phones “crawling with potentially lethal bacteria”

Germ-a-phobes don’t need another reason to cower away into their super sanitized homes, but a recent report by Daily Mail of the UK is indicating that cell phones are “crawling with potentially lethal bacteria.” It makes sense, given that mobile phones are awfully close to the haven for all germs — the mouth — where people with colds, flus, and any number of other conditions are coughing, sneezing and wheezing.

They’re saying that there are “tens of thousands of microbes living on each square inch”, making cell phones even more germ-y than a toilet seat. This is because handsets “come into contact with… a wider range of bacteria than toilet seats.” That’s a little disconcerting, to say the least. According to expert microbiologists, the constant handling and heat (from your breath, for example) creates an optimum breeding round for “all sorts of bugs.”

As if the cancer-causing claims weren’t enough, now you have to worry about catching a cold (or worse) from your cell phone…