You Won't Believe What the Most Germ-Ridden Surface at the Airport Is Hint: It's not the toilet seat.

By Lydia Belanger

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

David-Prado | Getty Images

Many airport toilet seats have plastic covers that can be changed by waving a hand in front of a sensor. But even if they didn't, chances are they wouldn't be as filthy as other surfaces travelers regularly come in contact with.

In a small study by InsuranceQuotes.com, researchers swabbed six different surfaces three times each across various airports and major airline U.S. flights. These surfaces included self check-in kiosks, airplane lavatory flush buttons, tray tables, airline gate bench armrests, airport water fountain buttons and airplane seat belt buckles.

The results showed that airport check-in kiosks harbor the largest collection of illness-causing bacteria, followed by airplane lavatory flush buttons.

If you think about it, people spend far less time at a kiosk than sitting at the gate or in their airplane seat, so far more people come into contact with each kiosk, and each person adds a new batch of germs to the kiosk's surface. As for the flush button, the fact that airlines are free to determine cleaning routines for their planes, free of FAA oversight, might explain the dirtiness.

Check out the infographics below to see how the density of germs varies between these common objects travelers touch -- and compares to average surfaces in American homes.

Related: 9 Ways Your Office May Be Killing You

Related video: This Travel Company's Headquarters Has Ping-Pong Tables and Kombucha on Tap

Lydia Belanger is a former associate editor at Entrepreneur. Follow her on Twitter: @LydiaBelanger.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Fundraising

4 Trends In Fundraising That Will Impact the Future of Philanthropy

Increasing the success of your nonprofit requires you to adapt to changes.

Business News

Saying 'Please' and 'Thank You' to ChatGPT Costs OpenAI 'Tens of Millions of Dollars'

It's more environmentally friendly (and cost-efficient) to skip the niceties.

Franchise

She Quit Corporate Accounting to Start a Business on Track for $3 Million: 'If I'm Working 14-Hour Days, It Should Be for Me.'

Tired of unreliable contractors, Sarah Ross launched her own painting franchise. Ten years later, she's leading a multi-million-dollar operation.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Franchise

Buying a Franchise in the Age of AI? Ask These Key Questions First.

As AI lowers barriers to entry and accelerates business innovation, franchise brands must evolve to remain relevant. Here's how to evaluate franchise opportunities in this new era.