NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - June 7, 2010) - 3D may be the biggest thing in movies this summer, but use caution when donning those glasses provided by your local theater -- they may be contaminated with bacteria that can cause conjunctivitis, skin infections, food poisoning, or even sepsis or pneumonia. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute, Good Housekeeping's legendary product testing laboratory, found bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, on 3D glasses tested.
For the "GHRI Investigates" feature in the July issue of Good Housekeeping, the Research Institute tested movie theater 3D glasses that were wrapped in plastic, and those that were not in plastic, were supposed to have been cleaned by the theaters between uses. The result: None of the glasses were sterile, and one pair was contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, the most common cause of staph infections.
"Summertime is blockbuster season, and 3D is an amazing technology that can make movies even more fun," said Rosemary Ellis, editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping. "We were shocked by the test results, but happily, you can reduce your risk by taking a few precautions."
So what can consumers do? After testing several methods with EMSL Analytical, Good Housekeeping found that the most effective way to clean 3D glasses is with an alcohol wipe from the drugstore, which reduced bacteria more than 95 percent. A soap-and-water wash in the restroom sink was almost as effective. Good Housekeeping advises against rubbing glasses with a dry tissue because it only wiped away 66 percent of germs.
For more about Good Housekeeping's 3D glasses test, visit: www.goodhousekeeping.com/3dglasses.
About Good Housekeeping
Founded in 1885, Good Housekeeping (www.goodhousekeeping.com) magazine reaches 25 million readers each month. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute, the consumer product evaluation laboratory of the magazine founded in 1900, is dedicated to improving the lives of consumers and their families through education and product evaluation. Before any advertisement appears in the magazine, it must first pass the Good Housekeeping Research Institute's evaluations, and thereby become eligible to display the Good Housekeeping Seal. Products that have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal carry a limited warranty: if the product proves to be defective within two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping will replace the item or refund the consumer. Readers can also interact with the brand with Good Housekeeping mobile (m.goodhousekeeping.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, Good Housekeeping publishes 15 editions around the world. Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and is one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with nearly 200 editions around the world, including 15 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.8 million total adults, according to MRI, Fall 2009).
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Media contact:
For more information about Good Housekeeping, the Research Institute or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Kelly Carone Abdo
212.649.2321
