7 News Features: Toting Trouble

Millions of children and adults carry them around all day long, but a Seven News investigation has found the backpacks you use may be toting trouble. Lynn Martinez explains in this special assignment report.

WSVN -- From home to school, classroom to classroom and then back home again, backpacks are wheeled, carried and even dragged all over the place.

But have you ever wondered if your kids are bringing home more than just books and homework with that backpack?

Mayte Dovale: "We take it out of the trunk, he puts it on, and then he puts it right on the floor."

Pamela Torres: "I'm sure her book bag is very dirty."

Spring Davis: "I really wanted to know what was lurking on that book bag."

So we tested three everyday, ordinary book bags: 11-year-old Lakeisha's Tweety Bird satchel, 10-year-old Matthew's red backpack and 6-year-old Alexis' blue backpack.

Matthew Dovale: "I carry my folders, my books, my homework, my agenda."

Alexis Lynch: "We put it in the floor, and then we go outside and play."

Spring Davis: "It's been on the floor a lot at school, and there's a lot of germs at school."

But could there be more?

To find out, we swabbed each backpack with a special solution and then took those samples to Kappa Labs on Miami Beach, and what we found may surprise you.

Dr. Peter Kmieck: "Bacteria can be present on backpacks, yes."

In fact, take a look at this: Besides books and personal items inside and outside, our tests showed unusually high levels of coliform, which helps bacteria grow.

Even more alarming, lab tests found staph, which produces potentially harmful toxins.

Dr. Kmieck: "This can make you sick if it ends up in the wrong place."

Sick with colds, flu, vomiting and stomachs.

Bottom line, your kids could be toting trouble.

Lakeisha Davis: "It's disgusting because I don't think I want that many germs on my book bag."

But you may not have a choice.

Dr. Kmieck says bacteria are everywhere, especially on hands.

The backpacks with the highest levels of bacteria could be a result of not washing hands properly.

Spring Davis: "No more book bags. That's it, that's it."

Lynn Martinez: "Well, parents, you don't have to go that far. Just clean the surface with alcohol at least once a week -- or, better yet, throw them into a washing machine and don't forget proper hygiene."

Dr. Kmieck: "Washing the hands is the best way to control the bacteria that's transferred on things like handles and backpacks."

Lakeisha, Matthew and Alexis' moms now know bacteria and backpacks can mix and are taking extra precautions.

Pamela Torres: "I think that's disgusting. I think I'll wash her back pack."

Mayte Dovale: "I never thought to even think that there was going to be anything on the book bag, so it's an eye-opening experience."

Spring Davis: "I will wash that book bag every week. It will get washed."

So the next time your child puts on their backpack, they won't be toting trouble.

Dr. Kmieck says you can probably get by with using an alcohol swab once a week and washing once a month.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Kappa Labs
2577 NW 74th Avenue
Miami, FL 33122
305-599-0199

www.kappalabs.com