College Pastime "Beer Pong" Could Be a Haven For Fun...and Germs!
Kate Ryan
Issue date: 5/5/07 Section: News
The lab partners had purchased brand-new cups and ping-pong balls to avoid any errors in their data collection from previous contamination. They used about a 30-pack of beer among eight students and took bacteria samples at the end of the night, leaving them to settle.
When they collected their samples the next morning and brought them to the lab, they were astounded to find bacteria from the E. coli, pneumonia, and salmonella families in every test tube. Bacteria like this could result in flu-like symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and nausea-all treatable with antibiotics, but not conditions one would like to handle in conjunction with a hangover.
The water cup was by far the most bacteria-infested, with the most growth. To minimize subsequent potential infections, the duo recommended more frequent changing of the water cup throughout the night. They also suggested that it would be more sanitary to have one separate drinking cup to pour your beer in, instead of drinking directly from the triangle formation, to prevent contracting germs from another player's saliva on the same cup.
It's easy to get caught up in the fun of a night of Beer Pong. But by taking the time out to change your water cup and by using a separate cup to drink from, you'll be doing your part to make sure your health conditions will remain positive in the days that follow.
Morrissey encouraged his schoolmates to stay proactive. "We're happy to be breaking ground in the evolutionary field of drinking game biology," he stated. Echoed Heffner, "Keep playing, but beware of the risks."
When they collected their samples the next morning and brought them to the lab, they were astounded to find bacteria from the E. coli, pneumonia, and salmonella families in every test tube. Bacteria like this could result in flu-like symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and nausea-all treatable with antibiotics, but not conditions one would like to handle in conjunction with a hangover.
The water cup was by far the most bacteria-infested, with the most growth. To minimize subsequent potential infections, the duo recommended more frequent changing of the water cup throughout the night. They also suggested that it would be more sanitary to have one separate drinking cup to pour your beer in, instead of drinking directly from the triangle formation, to prevent contracting germs from another player's saliva on the same cup.
It's easy to get caught up in the fun of a night of Beer Pong. But by taking the time out to change your water cup and by using a separate cup to drink from, you'll be doing your part to make sure your health conditions will remain positive in the days that follow.
Morrissey encouraged his schoolmates to stay proactive. "We're happy to be breaking ground in the evolutionary field of drinking game biology," he stated. Echoed Heffner, "Keep playing, but beware of the risks."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Custom Beer Pong Tables
posted 5/24/07 @ 7:59 PM EST
You have to use a different water cup for every game. Unless you happen to be playing on an emaculate floor (which usually is not the case), you need to change the cups in between beer pong games. (Continued…)
chase
posted 9/13/08 @ 4:56 AM EST
i totally agree i am new to college and i am 26-4 in the beer pong circut and my partner is feeling sick and i am definetly starting to feel sick my advice is to fill the cups with water and if you hit a cup then take a drink it is not the convential way of playing but it will sure save you swollen glands and a possiblility of getting all sorts of stds
skin care help
posted 12/21/08 @ 2:04 PM EST
Great information. Thanks for the post.
Anna Reed
posted 2/19/09 @ 7:24 AM EST
Beer pong (also called Beirut, lob pong, BP, etc.) is a drinking game in which players throw a ping-pong ball across a table with the intent of landing the ball in one of several cups of beer on the other end. (Continued…)
Teresa Carder
posted 3/02/09 @ 4:13 AM EST
Good and interesting article, thanks!
Monica Ackers
posted 3/07/09 @ 7:16 AM EST
Great article. I agree totally.
Anna Reed
posted 3/09/09 @ 1:40 AM EST
I thought this debate was about them, as opposed to featuring them. Whoops.
Monica Ackers
posted 3/11/09 @ 6:00 AM EST
I thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my moments in time with future generations.
Gillian Kerr
posted 3/13/09 @ 2:39 PM EST
Nice review! Thanks!
Andrea Godolphin
posted 3/16/09 @ 4:26 AM EST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
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