What a dirty lot many American men are!

A new study has revealed what a dirty lot many American men are.

It seems far too many of them don't wash their hands after using the toilet...... even worse they lie about it!

An observational study sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), has found that almost a third of American men leave public restrooms without washing their hands.

The study revealed that when it comes to washing with soap and water, 88 percent of women do lather up compared to 77% of men.

But a separate telephone survey found that 92 percent of adults say they do wash their hands in public restrooms.

Brian Sansoni, spokesman for the SDA says men need to 'step up to the sink'.

The study was based on observations carried out last month on more than 6,000 people in four big cities, Atlanta (Turner Field), Chicago (Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium), New York City (Grand Central Station, Penn Station), and San Francisco (Ferry Terminal Farmers Market).

Dr. Judy Daly from the ASM says hand hygiene is a serious matter and she reiterates the statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in that the single most important thing everyone can do to resist infectious diseases and control their spread, is to keep hands clean.

Experts say dirty hands lead to sickness, infection from colds and flu, the spread of germs and the contamination of food.

It was also discovered that only 73% wash their hands after changing a diaper while only 78% always wash their hands before handling or eating food.

Possibly more of a worry was that only 34% said they always wash their hands after coughing or sneezing.

Chicago men were the most hygienic with 81% men choosing to lather up; New Yorkers were number two with 79%, followed by Atlanta with 75% and San Francisco with 73%.

The findings were reported at a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).