In what may be the most terrified shower news since Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” a study says shower heads can hide tiny bacteria that come spraying into your face when you wash. People with normal immune systems have little to fear, but these bacteria could be a concern for those with AIDS, people who are undergoing cancer treatment or those who have had a recent organ transplant.
Researchers at the University of Colorado tested 45 showers in five states as part of a larger study of the microbiology of air and water in homes, schools and public buildings. They report their showers findings in Tuesday’s edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In general, is it dangerous to take showers? “Probably not, if your immune system is not compromised in some way,” lead author Norman R. Pace says. “But it’s like anything else---there is a risk associated with it.”
The researchers offer suggestions for caution, such as getting all-mental shower heads, which microbes have a harder time clinging to.
Still, it is hard to clean the shower heads, the researchers note, and the bacteria come back even after cleaning. People who have filtered(过滤的) shower heads could replace the filter weekly, added co-author Laura K. Baumgartner. And, she said, baths don’t splash bacteria into the air as much as showers.
Indeed, studies by the National Jewish Hospital in Denver suggest increases in infections in the lungs in the Untied States in recent decades from species like M.
Symptoms of infection can include tiredness, a persistent, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness and “generally feeling bad,” he said.
Shower heads were sampled at houses, apartment buildings and public places in New York, Illinois, Colorado, Tennessee and North Dakota.
The researchers sampled water flowing from the shower heads, then removed them, wiped the interiors of the devices and separately sampled water flowing from the pipes without the shower heads.
By studying the DNA of the samples they were able to determine which bacteria were present.
66. Which group of persons of the following don’t have to fear the bacteria in the shower head?
A. Those who suffer from AIDS
B. Those with normal immune system
C. Those undergoing cancer treatment
D. Those that have had organ transplanted recently
67. In Para 3, what does Norman R. Pace suggest?
A. People with abnormal immune system will die from taking showers.
B. People shouldn’t take shower for there is always a risk there.
C. Bacteria in shower heads may harm those with abnormal immune system
D. Abnormal immune system is associated with taking showers.
68. What does the underlined word “cling to” mean in Para. 4?
A. Holding onto tightly B. Spreading widely
C. Breaking out D. Cleaning up
69. What suggestions do NOT the researchers offer for caution?
A. Using all-metal shower heads. B. Replacing the filter weekly.
C. Stopping splashing microbes D. Taking baths instead of showers
70. What is the best title of this passage?
A. Microbes hidden in shower heads B. An important research on showers
C. Taking baths instead of showers D. Terrible murder in the showers