Traces of FAECES found on petrol pumps across Britain in revolting investigation

Traces of faeces have been found lurking on fuel pumps in an investigation that will make you want to wear gloves next time you fill up your car.

Bacteria samples were taken at four petrol stations in London, Nottingham and Manchester.

All had traces of faecal streptococci and enterococci found in animal and human stomachs and intestines and their presence indicating faecal matter contamination.

Swabs were taken from petrol and diesel pumps, pay-at-pump machines and door handles of fuel station kiosks where motorists can also purchase snacks to eat on their journey – often without washing their hands first.

The samples were then submitted to industrial hygiene consultancy Sysco for independent testing, with revolting results.

The findings paint a ‘grotty picture of several different bacterial varieties existing across all stations’, says National Scrap Car, which commissioned the study.

Seven different types – all harmful and posing a risk to our health and immune systems – were highlighted in the laboratory findings, with one particular site returning a ‘significantly high’ count of one bacteria.

You might want to get your hand sanitisier at the ready before reading on… 

The investigation that will make you want to wear gloves when you next fill up: The study, carried out at four filling stations across England, found that all had traces of faecal streptococci and enterococci. Here’s the other bacteria identified at the pumps…

Much like cash machines, fast-food restaurant touchscreens and public transport handles, the continuous use of petrol pumps by hundreds of people leaves a bacterial mark.

But the laboratory results from swabs taken at forecourts across the country will likely make many motorists rethink their post-fill-up hygiene routines next time their fuel gauge drops into the red.

The investigation found the presence of sickness-causing bugs like E.coli, salmonella and faecal matter across all tested filling stations – the locations of which have not been disclosed. 

Worryingly, samples taken from the Nottingham forecourt were found to have the highest levels of bacteria with ‘Pseudomonas aeruginosa’.

This is a bacteria commonly found on cockroaches and in their dropping that can cause skin infections, respiratory issues, and infections for those with low immune systems.

The Midlands filling station swabbed had what experts described an ‘elevated count’ of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A result of 1720 CFU, standing for Colony-forming unit –  the unit used in microbiology to estimate the number of viable bacteria or fungi in a sample.

Tomas Gabor, director at industrial hygiene consultancy Sysco, said: ‘A count of 1720 CFU is significantly higher than typical levels expected. 

‘Even when compared to a clean toilet seat, the levels usually sit below 100 CFU/cm².

‘It is unlikely that this count could make a healthy adult seriously ill, but it could pose risks to those with weakened immune systems or open wounds.

‘Ideally, a CFU count for Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be undetectable or below 100 CFU on surfaces.’

Manchester’s petrol pumps were found to have the presence of E-coli, Clostridium perfringens and Faecal streptococci indicating faecal matter.

These traces were all CFUs below 20, however. 

Despite having the largest population and recently being named Europe’s worst city for road traffic, London petrol stations were found to have fewer bacteria than Nottingham.

National Scrap Car said this is likely a byproduct of there being more electric vehicles on the road in the capital that do no use filling station. However, it could also be linked to commuters avoiding filling up at expensive London sites.

The seven bacteria found on petrol pumps

It is first paramount to make clear that bacterial pathogens are all around us at all times.

While many are relatively harmless, others can pose a risk to our health – especially for individuals with other conditions and weakened immune systems.

These are the seven illness-inducing germs identified across petrol stations in the capital, midlands and north in National Scrap Car’s investigation. 

1. Escherichia coli (E. coli)

E. coli are germs that can be found in many places, including in the environment, foods, water, and the intestines of people and animals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says most E. coli are harmless and are part of a healthy intestinal tract that help us digest food, produce vitamins, and protect us from harmful germs.

However, some E. coli can make people sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses. 

Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible. 

2. Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) 

Clostridium perfringens are also common and often found almost everywhere, especially in decaying vegetation and our intestines. 

Despite its commonality, C. perfringens is the third largest cause of food poisoning in the UK. 

With its spores able to withstand cooking temperatures, if cooked food is left to stand for too long germination can start and develop infective bacterial colonies.

3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly found on cockroaches and in their droppings.

This bacterial pathogen is most likely to infect people with poor immune systems.

It typically infects the airway and urinary tract but can also cause infection in injuries following a trauma.

4. Salmonella

Salmonella bacteria is another that’s commonly associated with food poisoning. 

Infections from this bacteria usually occur when a person ingests foods that contain a high concentration, with infants and young children far more susceptible. 

Salmonella bacteria live in the gut of many farm animals. They can affect meat, eggs, poultry and milk with foods like green vegetables, fruit and shellfish contaminated through contact with manure in soil or sewage in the water.

Salmonella can also be spread from person to person by poor hygiene, such as not washing hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, or after handling contaminated food.

5. Faecal streptococci & enterococci

Faecal streptococci and enterococci can be found in animal and human stomachs and intestines so their presence indicates faecal matter contamination.

6. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)

Staphylococcus aureus is another bacteria that can cause infection, commonly occurring in domestic environments. 

S. aureus is also responsible for relatively minor conditions like acne and boils. However, they can be lethal in healthcare settings.

It can trigger bloodstream infections or sepsis, pneumonia – especially among those with underlying lung disease and those on ventilators, endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) that can cause heart failure or stroke and osteomyelitis (bone infection) if there is direct contact from a wound or trauma on the body.

7. Bacillus Cereus

Bacillus cereus is a type of bacteria often found in soil and food. 

Some variants are harmful to humans and can cause foodborne illnesses, severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. 

Bacillus foodborne illnesses occur due to the survival of the bacterial spores when food is improperly cooked.