How do I know how much bacteria is on an object?

[Bassman_2]

Say, my hands?
I have a science project to come up with and when I asked him he told me there was a product I could use to find how much bacteria I have on the object (or my hand).

I'm in the U.S. Could anyone please tell me the name of such a project and where would I find it?

 

[afaceforradio]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=bacteria+test+kits&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Bacteria test kits are probably what you need. I think they contain a temporary dye (like the one dentists can use to see plaque on your teeth) that makes it all show up.

 

[Neonbob]

This one senses Salmonella
This one senses E.Coli

If those were along the lines of what you were thinking, google is your friend.
Oh, and the person above me probably answered you better...
I'm going off to enjoy my foot for a bit.

 

[MercurySteam]

We have these things at school that we're using right now. It's some sort of jelly and you swab a surface with a cotton bud, rub it on the jelly then put it in a thing that heats it up to 60 degrees or so. Not sure what they're called though.

 

[Bassman_2]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=bacteria+test+kits&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Bacteria test kits are probably what you need. I think they contain a temporary dye (like the one dentists can use to see plaque on your teeth) that makes it all show up.

Thanks, that sounds like the one he was describing.

And Google doesn't like to show me what I want unless I try to fool it, which I am too lazy for.

EDIT: That may look like I need to buy it online D:

 

[fletch_talon]

This one senses Salmonella
This one senses E.Coli

If those were along the lines of what you were thinking, google is your friend.

Careful with that, are you sure you want people to know how much poo particle bacteria is on your hands? For that matter, are you sure you want to know?

 

[Avaholic03]

Why do you care? Bacteria is everywhere. The only way your immune system will learn to fight it off is exposure. The obsession with anti-bacterial stuff is one major reason for the prevalence of allergies and asthma among kids. Also, it explains why they need drugs to fight off infections that used to be fairly harmless. Just accept some bacteria in your life...your body will be better off if you do.

 

[Neonbob]

This one senses Salmonella
This one senses E.Coli

If those were along the lines of what you were thinking, google is your friend.

Careful with that, are you sure you want people to know how much poo particle bacteria is on your hands? For that matter, are you sure you want to know?

Honestly?
Not at all.
That's why I don't talk to people.
Talking usually leads to some form of contact.
X-P

 

[Bassman_2]

Why do you care? Bacteria is everywhere. The only way your immune system will learn to fight it off is exposure. The obsession with anti-bacterial stuff is one major reason for the prevalence of allergies and asthma among kids. Also, it explains why they need drugs to fight off infections that used to be fairly harmless. Just accept some bacteria in your life...your body will be better off if you do.

K, I don't give a crap if there is a swarm of bacteria surrounding the planet and fighting a war with my body. It's all for a grade, I don't care. Just need to make the teacher happy and I don't find another project just because I have to accept bacteria is everywhere.

 

[DoW Lowen]

You can try tasting it?

Well you're breathing in bacteria right now unless you have a gas mask on (whoops hope you didn't fart), there is an overly complicated way of doing, it involves letting your the object fester in an air tight petri dish for a while. So if you want to measure how much bacteria is in your hand, you're gonna have to cut it off.

But seriously, even my professors tell me to do this nowadays. Google it.