New Clothes Could Make You Sick - 'GMA' Research Shocking

by Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick (Subscribe to Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick's posts)
Posted Jan 8th 2010 at 10:01AM

Dirty truth about new clothes. Photo: Getty

"Good Morning America" just took all the fun out of our post holiday shopping when it revealed details of its filthy investigation into what's lurking on our brand new clothes. Germ phobes be warned, this gets pretty ugly.

A microbiologist hired by "GMA" found evidence of feces, vaginal secretions and even diarrhea causing viruses when it took cultures from so-called brand new clothes at popular high- and low-end stores in New York City. (ABC did not name the retailers.)

GMA's research was conducted for the morning show by Dr. Philip Tierno, director of microbiology at New York University. He turned up lots of dirt.

Tierno cultured 14 pieces of new clothing and found "excessive" amounts of disease causing germs and bacteria on a few pieces -- including a blouse and a jacket -- and trace amounts of some of these same offenders on other pieces. The invisible threats turned up in some surprising places -- fecal material in the offending blouse and jacket for example.

"In a sense you are touching someone else's armpit or groin" when you visit the dressing room, Tierno explained.

Skeeved out yet? We are.

The report suggests that the contaminants were deposited in changing rooms and on returned items.

The good news? Tierno says most of us are unlikely to get sick from trying on a new outfit or buying a sale item which several other customers have previously tried on.

However, the researcher warned consumers to take precautions when shopping by wearing undergarments and T-shirts. He also suggested washing new clothing in hot water or running it through a cycle in the dryer before wearing, if possible. (A great idea, unless the new clothing is dry clean only.)

Washing hands post shopping is imperative, Tierno said. Don't worry, doc, we're not going to the mall without hand sanitizer and a hazmat suit.

And don't forget about our good friend the filthy flip-flop.

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Filed under: Fashion, News, Shopping
Tags: Bacteria, dirty clothing, disease, Germs, Good Morning America, investigation, new clothes dirty, research, returned clothing, sick

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READER COMMENTS

(56)Add A Comment

JustK, 1-08-2010, 3:38PM

Germs are every-where. Use soap as needed and, get over it.

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Adrianna, 1-20-2011, 9:15PM

I didn't know this before I just read, however I'm am totally shocked at how many people won't just take the extra few seconds to wash their hands properly. In itself it is a simple task, inexpensive (usually free) and could result in avoiding SO many sicknesses! Check out HTTp://BIT.ly/washvssanitize it's truly amazing...people and their habits (or lack there of).

tidefanatic003, 1-08-2010, 4:48PM

The term "excessive" is interesting in that what is the "parts per" count. At any given time the air you breath contains between 2000-3000 parts per million fecal matter. In fact we breathe in more bacteria and other material than oxygen with every breath. It is a part of life, that is all. Shoot, your keyboard has between 10,000 to 25,000 parts per million fecal matter. More then your toilet. So unless they can give me a number to prove it is "excessive," this article, and "Good Morning America" are just talking BS to try to make some money.

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elizabeth b, 1-12-2010, 10:17PM

i agree with you tidefanatic.

jj, 1-09-2010, 10:10PM

does anyone have a cheap hazmat outfit?

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Budrunning, 1-12-2010, 9:06PM

Now that's funny,I don't care who you are!

Bob Gaul, 1-10-2010, 4:05PM

Were the clothes made in China a lot of the clothing/bed linen imported into Australia from China have been found to have very dangerous chemicals in them.

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Mark, 1-12-2010, 4:59PM

One of the most hazardous things people use on clothes are dryer sheets. They are extremely TOXIC!

june, 1-11-2010, 2:36PM

Geez, what is this, test for feces week. The other day they found feces in the soda machines, and now they are finding it in clotheing. Does anyone ever wash their hands today? I know life seems so busy today, but washing your hands only takes 30 seconds. It must have to be coming from peoples hands if it is being found in jackets and shirts too. For those who don't wash their hands after using the restroom, try it. It is not only healthy for you but healthy for others. Wow! Don't believe I have to say this...lol.

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ChadSnaggler, 1-11-2010, 2:55PM

I told my wife her new dress looked like crap.

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beck, 1-11-2010, 11:48PM

lmao

kuteal, 1-11-2010, 7:16PM

Best comment so far. Chad, you're awesome. That is absolutely something my husband would say to me after reading this article. Thanks for the chuckle.

Hey You, 1-12-2010, 5:18PM

LMAO....Good one Chad!!

leeza, 1-11-2010, 3:22PM

Buy on line; they come packaged without anyone having tried them on sans underwear.

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copskiss2, 1-11-2010, 9:20PM

Shopping on-line is no gaurantee against purchasing contaminated clothing, as people return items frequently, and the companies merely repackage them and sell the again. Wash new clothes before wearing them.

Angiebaby, 1-11-2010, 3:30PM

Feces, vaginal secretions and even diarrhea causing viruses, huh? Well, THAT certainly gives new meaning to the description "broken in"!

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strand, 1-11-2010, 4:21PM

I have been in retail for 30 years. you do not want to know what men and, especially women, do on clothes, in the fitting room.
don't blame the chinese, don't blame the sweatshops, don't blame the politicians. blame your screwed up sister, or the nasty little shoppers in the fitting room next to you, or it's maybe just you to blame.

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me, 1-11-2010, 4:52PM

See Mom - That is why I wash new clothes before I wear them! You never know what's hiding out in there. (she always made fun of me washing brand new clothes)

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Tom, 1-12-2010, 10:55PM

thats funny be cause with me and my mom it was the other way around, she was right

Shawn, 1-11-2010, 5:15PM

Tidefanatic003 is spot on. If you knew what you slept with every night (even after wash-day) you'ld freak. It's apart of life and nature. Hey, it helps build the immune system. I'd rather have nature's crap in my food than the chemicals man puts in "for our benifit" and theirs, financially.

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