You might want to think twice before going to the movies on date night. A new study reveals why.
The UK-based Betway Casino conducted a scientific experiment to determine how much bacteria can be found at movie theaters. Betway swabbed (擦拭) five seats and five cup-holders in five theaters across the United Kingdom and sent these off for testing at a microbiology laboratory. Betway also swabbed and tested three toilet seats for comparison. The average number of bacteria colonies for movie theater seats, cup holders, and toilet seats was then calculated.
The research indicates a shocking presence of 1,864 bacteria colonies on an average movie theater seat, dwarfing (使渺小) the 135 colonies typically found on toilet seats by 14 times. This suggests that the nearly 7.3 billion tickets expected to be sold in movie theaters worldwide in 2024 could contribute to an environment ripe for bacteria growth. Meanwhile, the variation in cleanliness among different theaters and seat materials was noted, with the dirtiest seat harboring up to 3,000 colonies and the cleanest at just 80. Perhaps more shocking is the discovery that cinema cup holders contain an average of 2,396 bacteria colonies. This figure represents 18 times more bacteria than found on a standard toilet seat.
Betway offers practical advice to ensure movie enthusiasts can continue enjoying their outings without taking home unwanted microbial (微生物的) gifts kept as reminders of the outings. Recommendations include washing hands immediately after returning home, and changing clothes to avoid spreading bacteria to furniture. While the cinematic world offers a gateway to unique storytelling and entertainment, it also exposes moviegoers to a hidden microbial universe. By adopting simple practices, moviegoers can minimize their risk and focus on the magic of the movies, free from concern over the bacteria sharing their seats.