Bobbing for apples is a time-honored autumn tradition, typically involving a large tub of water where participants plunge their faces to retrieve floating apples using only their mouths. This game, often seen at Halloween parties, forces multiple people to share the same communal water source. The question of whether this activity is truly sanitary is valid, as the mechanics create a perfect scenario for the transmission of germs through the direct exchange of bodily fluids and skin microbes.
How Saliva and Skin Contact Spread Germs
The act of repeatedly dunking one’s head and mouth into the shared water introduces a variety of pathogens directly from the human body. Saliva and mucus, which are inevitably released into the water, can carry viruses responsible for common illnesses like the cold and flu. This direct contact facilitates the transfer of infectious agents between participants. A major concern is the introduction of highly contagious viruses, such as norovirus, often incorrectly called the “stomach flu.” Norovirus is particularly problematic because it only takes a very small number of viral particles to cause an infection. Skin-borne bacteria and oil residues from the face also contribute to the overall microbial load of the water.
Pathogen Survival in Communal Water
The communal water setup creates an environment where introduced pathogens can remain viable for a significant amount of time. A large tub of un-chlorinated, room-temperature water lacks the sanitizing agents necessary to quickly kill viruses and bacteria. Organic materials, such as skin oils and saliva, deplete any minimal residual chlorine that might have been present in the tap water. In this non-sanitized environment, many pathogens can persist, turning the tub into a medium for circulation. Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli can survive for weeks to months in freshwater conditions. Non-enveloped viruses like norovirus are known for their environmental stability, capable of remaining infectious in water for weeks or even months.
Making the Activity Healthier
To minimize the health risks associated with a shared water source, several practical modifications can be implemented to maintain the fun of the game.
- Eliminate the shared water entirely by giving each participant their own small bowl or bucket of water and apples. This individual station prevents cross-contamination between players.
- Suspend the apples from a string or clothesline, allowing participants to bite them without using their hands, completely removing the water element.
- Instruct players to use tools like tongs, forks, or chopsticks to retrieve the fruit instead of their mouths if the apples must remain in the water.
- Regardless of the method chosen, all apples should be thoroughly washed with cool, running water and scrubbed with a produce brush before the game.