Dishwasher Surprise

A fungus looking for a place to hang out and reproduce may find your dishwasher quite appealing. It’s often wet and warm, and it provides food that falls off dishes. In addition, newer energy-saving appliances may use less-scalding temperatures and gentler detergents.

In samples from the rubber seals in 189 dishwashers in homes in 18 countries: Sixty-two percent of the dishwashers turned up positive for fungi. One kind of black yeast was found in more than half of the appliances. This type of yeast is often a concern in people with the lung disease cystic fibrosis. The fungi from the dishwashers can also cause other health problems in people, especially those with weakened immune systems. However, according to the researchers, more studies are needed to measure whether these appliances pose a threat to people while they’re cleaning their dishes and silverware.