Have Airports Made It Safe For Feet?

Oct. 4 (KGO) -- Our initial reports found bacteria at airports around the country, and Bay Area airports reacted by telling us they would better clean their facilities.

Or, in the case of Oakland, the checkpoints were already cleaned with anti-bacterial solution, so nothing more needed to be done. Well, since it's been more than a couple of months, it's time to check back and see if the airports have lived up to their words.

We tested for bacteria and fungus at all three Bay Area airports.

First, I used a sterile swab to see what was on my foot before I walked through the security checkpoint at SFO. Next, I used a piece of transparent tape to see if there were any fungal spores present. Let's hope not.

After walking through the security checkpoint with my shoes and socks off, I re-tested the same foot. Our tests were repeated at Oakland international, and Mineta San Jose airports.

At each location, we took before and after samples from our feet (to get the most accurate tests possible) and delivered them to Environmental Microbiology Laboratory in San Bruno.

Dr. Harriet Burge, director of research and development for EM Lab, says the swabs were wiped onto a culture plate, incubated, then analyzed for bacterial colonies.

"We did find a reasonable amount of bacteria," she says.

A bacteria called "staphylococcus" was present at each airport. In one case, nearly six-times as much of that type of bacteria was picked up through the checkpoint. It may sound alarming, and it's certainly gross, but it is *not* a huge hazard for most people.

"These are present on everybody's skin," says Burge. "They're really, really common bacteria that are shed from your skin."

Dr. Burge says the only people who may have cause for concern are those with compromised immune systems, or those with open-wounds on the foot or leg.

Dr. Dean Edell, ABC7 News Medical Reporter, agrees. "The potential is there for catching something," he says. "Not that anyone has noticed an outbreak& but would they?"

Dr. Harriet Burge, Environmental Microbiology Lab: "It's a good indication of what can be readily transferred from that surface onto your hands or your feet or whatever it is you're touching."

That's why Dr. Burge suggests washing your hands with hot, soapy water after you put your shoes back on. Hand sanitizers or anti-bacterial lotions may also help.

If you're still worried, wear socks or nylons when going through the security checkpoints.

"I think from now on I'll have socks to put on when I walk through the airport after having seen your results!" says Burge.

By the way, our tests did not turn-up any fungal spores. Of course, this was just a tiny sample of what might be there on any given day. Conditions will vary based on how busy the airport is, what the temperature is like, etc.

Remember, much worse has been found at other airports, and when you fly out of the Bay Area you fly into another airport. So what we find here is only half of what you are walking through.

Again, your best bet is to bring socks or surgical booties if you are planning to wear sandals onto the plane, and to practice good hygiene afterwards.

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