Study finds handsets contain 18 times more living bacteria than a flush on a men’s toilet.

It harbours 18 times more living bacteria than a flush on a men’s toilet, according to a research conducted by ‘Which?’ magazine.

A hygiene expert analysed 30 handsets for the study found seven had warning or high levels of environmental bacteria, reports Daily Mail.

One harboured levels of bacteria, including faecal coliforms, high enough to give its user a serious stomach upset.

Hygiene expert Jim Francis told Which?: “The levels of potentially harmful bacteria on one mobile were off the scale. That phone needs sterilising.”

The tests showed how easily bacteria could linger on the surface of a phone, which could be passed on to other people if they held the handset to look at photos or other applications.

Which? advises that phones can be cleaned with an alcohol wipe.