A Chicago-based doctor has cautioned families against wearing outdoor shoes inside the house, warning that the everyday habit could expose households to harmful germs and toxic chemicals. Dr Robert Singleton, an anesthesiologist, said shoes act like “delivery trucks” for pollutants picked up from streets, pavements and lawns, posing serious health risks—especially to children and pets.
In a health advisory shared on Instagram, Dr Singleton highlighted research showing that nearly 90 to 99 per cent of germs present on outdoor footwear are transferred to indoor floors when shoes are worn inside. Once on the floor, these contaminants can easily come into contact with crawling babies, toddlers, pets, or household items that fall to the ground.
According to Dr Singleton, the threat is not limited to bacteria and viruses. He explained that shoes can also carry cancer-causing toxins from asphalt, road residue and lawn chemicals that disrupt hormones. These substances can accumulate in household dust and linger for long periods, increasing long-term exposure risks.
Urging families to adopt a strict no-shoes-inside policy, Dr Singleton said leaving footwear at the door can significantly reduce the spread of invisible pollutants within homes. He stressed that a shoe-free environment is a simple but effective step toward protecting family health and maintaining cleaner living spaces.