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Astonishingly, a high percentage of women�s handbags carry more bacteria than the average toilet, says British company Initial Washrooms Hygiene. The company reported that, on average, one in five handbags contains a significant amount of harmful bacteria that can pose a threat to human health. Technical Manager at Initial Hygiene, Peter Barratt, said: �Handbags come into regular contact with our hands and a variety of surfaces, so the risk of transferring different germs onto them is very high, especially as bags are rarely cleaned. Once these germs get on the bags, they can easily be transferred via hands onto other surfaces. Regular hand sanitization is essential to prevent the presence of bacteria in the first place and thorough cleaning of bags is recommended to prevent the build-up of contamination�. The researchers said that leather handbags in particular pose the most significant health hazard, because their spongy material is an ideal environment for most bacteria. This finding means that the most cherished handbags of breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Bottles of hand cream appear to be the dirtiest and most infected items carried in the average handbag. Astonishingly, a high percentage of women�s handbags carry more bacteria than the average toilet, says British company Initial Washrooms Hygiene. The company reported that, on average, one in five handbags contains a significant amount of harmful bacteria that can pose a threat to human health. Technical Manager at Initial Hygiene, Peter Barratt, said: �Handbags come into regular contact with our hands and a variety of surfaces, so the risk of transferring different germs onto them is very high, especially as bags are rarely cleaned. Once these germs get on the bags, they can easily be transferred via hands onto other surfaces. Regular hand sanitization is essential to prevent the presence of bacteria in the first place and thorough cleaning of bags is recommended to prevent the build-up of contamination�. The researchers said that leather handbags in particular pose the most significant health hazard, because their spongy material is an ideal environment for most bacteria. This finding means that the most cherished handbags of breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Bottles of hand cream appear to be the dirtiest and most infected items carried in the average handbag.