Traveling is awesome. The experience broadens your mind and expands your consciousness. Unfortunately, it also leaves you open to a range of illnesses. And while savvy travelers know to avoid sketchy street food, even the most experienced globetrotters overlook this seemingly innocent item. One that every air traveler touches before boarding their plane.

You know those plastic bins that hold your cell phone, wallet, shoes, and other personal belongings when you go through airport security? They're usually worn and kinda grimy, right? Well, according a study published last week in the BioMed Central Infectious Diseases journal, half of all airport security bins are carrying viruses that cause respiratory infections—including the common cold and flu.

In fact, the team of Finnish and British researchers concluded that those bins were teeming with more germs than any other tested area in the airport, including elevator buttons, flight check-in machines and even the toilet lids and handles. That's because those disgusting, infested bins are touched by every passenger and are rarely—if ever—cleaned.