Buying gas is a necessary evil for most drivers. While many are concerned with finding cheap gas prices, there are other things they should consider at gas station pumps. As anyone can guess, fuel pumps are actually pretty disgusting. Thousands of people touch them daily, and gas stations don’t sanitize them often.

Gas station pumps are anything but clean

Keeping your vehicle clean is an essential component of car care. However, most people don’t think of how many germs they bring from gas station pumps into their cars. This is despite the awareness that several people use the handles on the pumps daily. According to Commercial Zone Products, which uses data from a 2017 survey conducted by Kimberly-Clark, 71 percent of the gas pumps studied were “highly contaminated” with germs that can cause illnesses. 

The gas station pumps tested also had about 2 million colony-forming units for every square inch. For context, CFUs estimate the number of bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc. The same study says that public toilets only have about 172 colony-forming units. This data makes fuel pump handles about 10,000 times dirtier than public toilet seats. Of course, many gas stations may differ from the ones included in the study. 

How to protect yourself

Of course, everyone wants cheap gas prices. However, it’s also essential to find ways to protect yourself from germs found at gas station pumps. This is especially the case for people who are immunocompromised. Most people don’t get sick from contaminants from fuel pump handles, but it is possible. 

So, how can you protect yourself from the dangers of gas station pumps? Some people suggest wearing disposable gloves when pumping gas. This lets you cover your hands and throw the gloves away before returning to the car. Additionally, there is very little preparation to do this, as you only need to buy a box of gloves to store in your vehicle. Many people did this during the height of the pandemic, but it’s still good practice, considering how dirty pumps can be. 

The use of Hand sanitizer is another way to lessen the chance of getting sick from gas station pumps. It doesn’t eliminate all germs, but it does a great job of reducing microbes on your hands. Additionally, it’s a good idea to sanitize the inside of your vehicle regularly. This is another way to protect yourself from gas station pump germs and contaminants from other places. 

For more reading, check out our article on ways your car can make you sick.