The so-called 'ugly little bath ducks,' as described by the Swiss Federal Council in its March 27 press release, are breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. This alarming finding comes from a rigorous study by researchers at the Eawag Water Research Institute, ETH Zurich (Switzerland), and the University of Illinois (USA).
The team tracked two groups of new bath ducks over 11 weeks. One group was exposed to clean water, the other to used bathwater laden with soap residue, dirt, sweat, and human-associated bacteria. The results were stark: ducks in used water harbored 5 to 75 million microbial cells per square centimeter, with 80% being potentially pathogenic germs, including Legionella and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The challenge stems from the toys' plastic interiors, which are nearly impossible to clean thoroughly. 'When children squeeze the duck to squirt water, the jet is often brown,' the study notes.
"It can strengthen children's immune defenses... that's positive at the time," says microbiologist Frederik Hammes from Eawag. However, he warns, "it can also lead to eye and ear irritations or serious gastrointestinal infections." Hammes advocates for stricter regulations on polymers in bath toys. Until then, options include sealing the ducks' openings or committing to meticulous cleaning after every use.
