Listen Up: Scientists uncover germs hidden in reusable water bottles that need cleaning

2. Which word can replace “trusty” in the podcast?
A. credible
B. hardy
C. safe
D. reliable

3. What does CFU stand for?
A. colony-forming units
B. colonised fungal units
C. cell formation units
D. colony-fungal units

4. How many CFUs of bacteria were found on a tap?
A. less than 30,000
B. exactly 3 million
C. about 30 million
D. close to 300 million

5. On average, how many CFUs of bacteria were found in reusable water bottles?
A. 40
B. 280
C. 40,000
D. 20.8 million

6. Which type of water bottle had the least bacteria?
A. squeeze-top bottles
B. bottles with spouts
C. bottles with screw-top lids
D. They all had the same amount of bacteria.

7. What percentage of Americans wash their water bottles only a few times a week?
A. less than 10 per cent
B. about 25 per cent
C. slightly over 50 per cent
D. as many as 75 per cent

8. What do the “everyday items” in the podcast refer to?
A. reusable water bottles
B. disposable water bottles
C. toilet seats
D. taps in public bathrooms

9. If something is “alarming”, it …
A. makes someone feel calmer.
B. makes someone feel surprised.
C. causes fear and worry.
D. causes excitement.

10. What did Dr Jay Vornhagen find in his research according to the podcast?
A. There are only two types of bacteria found on water bottles.
B. Some of the bacteria found on water bottles can make us sick.
C. Most bacteria found on water bottles are harmless.
D. Two types of bacteria found on water bottles are good for our health.

11. Complete the following summary using information from the podcast.

To keep your water bottle clean, you should wash it (i) ______. You can use soap and water, or sometimes even (ii) _____. Make sure to dry it completely after washing. Once a week, take your water bottle apart and (iii) _______ it with a brush to get rid of any dirt or (iv) _____.

1. C
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. D
6. A
7. B
8. A
9. C
10. B
11. (i) every day; (ii) vinegar; (iii) scrub; (iv) germs

Adapted from Tribune News Service

Voice 1: It’s commonly known that staying hydrated is key to keeping your body running smoothly. Water does more than quench your thirst – it regulates your temperature, flushes out toxins, keeps your joints flexible and powers essential functions like nutrient delivery. But you might not know that your trusty water bottle could be teeming with germs.

Voice 2: A 2022 study found the average reusable water bottle harbours more bacteria than a toilet seat. The researchers measured the number of live bacteria in these bottles. On average, the bottles contained 20.8 million CFUs, which refers to colony-forming units of bacteria – that’s 40,000 times more than on a toilet seat.

Voice 1: The type of bottle made a difference, too. Squeeze-top bottles had the least bacteria, with just 3 million CFUs, while bottles with spouts or screw-top lids had as many as 30 million CFUs, similar to what was found on a tap.

Voice 2: The study also found that among 1,000 Americans surveyed, a quarter of them washed their water bottles a few times a week, and slightly more than 10 per cent cleaned them just a few times a month. These alarming statistics highlight the importance of properly cleaning and maintaining these everyday items.

Voice 1: Dr Jay Vornhagen, assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, said that your water bottles could make you sick if you did not clean them properly. His research found various bacteria on water bottles, including potentially harmful ones like Staphylococcus and coliform bacteria.

Voice 2: To prevent your water bottle from becoming a breeding ground for germs, experts recommend rinsing it daily with soap and water, or sometimes with white vinegar, followed by thorough drying. Once a week, give it a deep clean by taking it apart and scrubbing it with a bottle brush to reach those tricky spots. Your water bottle goes with you everywhere. By sticking to a regular cleaning routine, you’re protecting your health.