Next time you turn on the shower think about what could be spraying in your face. A new study conducted in the states have found that showering could actually be harmful to your health. According to the scientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder nearly a third of shower heads harbour 'significant levels of mycobacterium avium' - a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease.

If this is not bad enough, additional tests that were carried out indicated that the levels of bacteria found were more than 100 times the background levels in municipal water.

This study indicated that every time we turn on the shower, it is possible that we could be coming into contact with pathogen. The consequences of inhaling these pathogen water droplets can be quite harmful for our health. The symptoms experienced would be a persistent dry cough, tiredness and shortness of breath. However, the people behind the study have reported that people with weaker immune systems are more likely to be vulnerable to these symptoms.

Should you be worried?

Before you start to find alternative ways to bathe, you should not worry too much according to the UK bathroom industry. The UK bathroom industry has pointed out that these tests were carried out in the US and this carries a huge significance. The study was also only based on 50 shower heads. It is more than likely that a similar study carried out here would produce very different results.

Whilst this study may not be too relevant to us, it does still point out the importance of keeping our showers and our shower heads clean. Despite the UK not having an immediate cause for concern, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) said that the UK shower manufacturers experienced a huge number of calls from worried consumers once these finding were released. BMA calmed many of the consumers down by stating that the UK carries out rigorous tests in order to ensure that the materials used do not support the growth of microbes which allow the formation of bacteria when in contact with water.

So what can be learnt from this study?

It is important to note that we are constantly exposed to microbes on a daily basis. Mycobacterium avium is hard to avoid as it is known to occur in water, particularly in hot water supplies and aerosolised water, such as fountains. For us as humans this is not a major concern as our bodies are intelligently designed to defend ourselves against these harmful bacteria. However those with weaker immune systems should be a little concerned and take extra care in protecting themselves. It is important to keep remembering that the study was only based on 50 shower heads. Therefore it is not too clear how widespread this bacteria problem is. It is also unclear as to whether it is actually even a problem in the UK as this test was carried out in the US.

Feeling tempted to bathe the old fashioned way?

So are the experts pushing people to run from their showers in horror? Only if you have a particularly weak immune system and need to take some extra measures and securing your health. If you are otherwise healthy, you should not think about ditching your shower just yet.