The National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, located the part of the body with the highest concentration of bacteria. During the experiment the researchers selected a group of volunteers, who were asked to use the same soap, which had no antibacterial properties, for one week. Then the participants were asked not to bathe/shower for one day. On the last stage of experiment, the scientists took hundreds of smears from various body parts.
As it turns out, over 1000 species of bacteria live on human body, almost as many as live in our digestive system. Moreover, in contrast to the common belief that armpit is the most abundantly populated with bacteria, the highest concentration of bacteria was found on the forearm. Over 44 types of bacteria peacefully inhabit this part of the body. The scientists believe that our hands touch a lot of dirt throughout the day and while we wash hour hands quite often, the forearms, unfortunately, do not get as much attention and stay dirty.
Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/scol22.
