SODA CAN CONTAMINATION
"This is Serious!
This incident happened in North Texas .
A woman went boating, taking with her some cans of cola
which she put into the refrigerator of the boat.
On Monday she was taken to the hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit.
She died on Wednesday.
The autopsy concluded she died of Leptospirosis.
This was traced to the can of cola she drank from, not using a glass.
Tests showed that the can was infected by dried rat urine and hence the disease Leptospirosis.
Rat urine contains toxic and deathly substances.
It is highly recommended to thoroughly wash the upper part
of all soda and beer cans before drinking out of them.
The cans are typically stocked in warehouses and transported straight to the shops without being cleaned.
A study at NYCU showed that the tops of all soda cans are more contaminated than public toilets (i.e.). full of germs and bacteria. So wash them with dish soap and water before putting them to the mouth to avoid any kind of fatal accident."
I have always wiped off the top of the can with whatever was handy at the time, a towel, my t-shirt, my hand.
After reading this article, I started washing all cans before putting them in the refrigerator and then pouring a little Vinegar (a natural disinfectant), over them. I found washing them after they are cold, warms them up slightly so wash them first.