if you think about diseases and gross stuff, then you wont be dumpster diving! I pick up metals, picked thru anything that can bring me a buck or two BUT..I am always very alert as to where i am sticking my hands, face and rest of body in...I use latex gloves and over the latex gloves I also use some heavy duty gloves sensitive enough to feel my way. I ususally do this at night with a flashlight. Im starting out and was sharing the one car we have at the house..so, it has been rather overwhelming and tiresome. back to diseases...use gloves, clean the gloves at least twice per week. Alcohol and hand sanitizer are a MUST. I even use hand sanitizer over the gloves specially after touching dog poop (the other night, I ran into dog poop while dumpster diving)- it was a ****tie night to say the least!...

Steering wheel and shifter ..always rub off some alcohol and hand sanitizer..be on the defense and you will be fine.