Experts took swabs from the numeric key pads on a string of city centre ATMs around England which are used by thousands of shoppers every day.
They then took similar swabs from the seats of nearby public lavatories and compared the bacteria under microscopes in a lab.
The swab were left to grow overnight and samples from both locations were found to contain pseudomonads and bacillus, bacterias which are known to cause sickness and diarrhoea.
Yesterday (Mon) Dr Richard Hastings, microbiologist for BioCote, a built-in, antibacterial product coating, said: ''We were interested in comparing the levels of bacterial contamination between heavily-used ATM machines and public lavatories.
''We were surprised by our results because the ATM machines were shown to be heavily contaminated with bacteria; to the same level as nearby public lavatories.
''In addition the bacteria we detected on ATMs were similar to those from the toilet, which are well known as causes of common human illnesses.''
BioCote carried out the swab tests after they carried out a survey which revealed Brits consider public lavatories to be the biggest health risk.
The study of 3,000 adults also revealed public telephones are considered the biggest health risk.
You might want to wear gloves when you use the ATM next.
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