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Keyboards 'dirtier than a toilet' | Keyboards 'dirtier than a toilet' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Some computer keyboards harbour more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat, research has suggested. | Some computer keyboards harbour more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat, research has suggested. |
Consumer group Which? said tests at its London offices found equipment carrying bugs that could cause food poisoning. | Consumer group Which? said tests at its London offices found equipment carrying bugs that could cause food poisoning. |
Out of 33 keyboards swabbed, four were regarded as a potential health hazard and one harboured five times more germs than one of the office's toilet seats. | Out of 33 keyboards swabbed, four were regarded as a potential health hazard and one harboured five times more germs than one of the office's toilet seats. |
Microbiologist Dr Peter Wilson said a keyboard was often "a reflection of what is in your nose and in your gut". | Microbiologist Dr Peter Wilson said a keyboard was often "a reflection of what is in your nose and in your gut". |
During the Which? tests in January this year, a microbiologist deemed one of the office's keyboards to be so dirty he ordered it to be removed, quarantined and cleaned. | During the Which? tests in January this year, a microbiologist deemed one of the office's keyboards to be so dirty he ordered it to be removed, quarantined and cleaned. |
It had 150 times the recommended limit for bacteria - five times as filthy as a lavatory seat tested at the same time, the research found. | It had 150 times the recommended limit for bacteria - five times as filthy as a lavatory seat tested at the same time, the research found. |
Should somebody have a cold in your office, or even have gastroenteritis, you're very likely to pick it up from a keyboard Dr Peter WilsonConsultant microbiologist | Should somebody have a cold in your office, or even have gastroenteritis, you're very likely to pick it up from a keyboard Dr Peter WilsonConsultant microbiologist |
The equipment was swabbed for bugs, such as those that can cause food poisoning like E.coli and staphylococcus aureus. | The equipment was swabbed for bugs, such as those that can cause food poisoning like E.coli and staphylococcus aureus. |
Dr Wilson, a consultant microbiologist at University College London Hospital, told BBC Radio 5 Live sharing a keyboard could be passing on illnesses among office workers. | Dr Wilson, a consultant microbiologist at University College London Hospital, told BBC Radio 5 Live sharing a keyboard could be passing on illnesses among office workers. |
"If you look at what grows on computer keyboards, and hospitals are worse, believe it or not, it's more or less a reflection of what's in your nose and in your gut," he said. | "If you look at what grows on computer keyboards, and hospitals are worse, believe it or not, it's more or less a reflection of what's in your nose and in your gut," he said. |
"Should somebody have a cold in your office, or even have gastroenteritis, you're very likely to pick it up from a keyboard." | "Should somebody have a cold in your office, or even have gastroenteritis, you're very likely to pick it up from a keyboard." |
Which? said one of the causes of dirty keyboards was users eating lunch at their desk, with crumbs encouraging the growth of bacteria. | Which? said one of the causes of dirty keyboards was users eating lunch at their desk, with crumbs encouraging the growth of bacteria. |
Poor personal hygiene, such as not washing hands after going to the toilet, could also be to blame, it said. | Poor personal hygiene, such as not washing hands after going to the toilet, could also be to blame, it said. |
Cleaning techniques | Cleaning techniques |
Which? computing editor Sarah Kidner advised users to give their computer "a spring clean". | Which? computing editor Sarah Kidner advised users to give their computer "a spring clean". |
"It's quite simple to do and could prevent your computer from becoming a health hazard," she said. | "It's quite simple to do and could prevent your computer from becoming a health hazard," she said. |
She said dust and food crumbs should be shaken out of keyboards and they should be wiped with a soft, lightly dampened, lint-free cloth. They should also be disinfected with alcohol wipes. | She said dust and food crumbs should be shaken out of keyboards and they should be wiped with a soft, lightly dampened, lint-free cloth. They should also be disinfected with alcohol wipes. |
Research by the University of Arizona last year found the average office desktop harboured 400 times more bacteria than the average office toilet seat. | Research by the University of Arizona last year found the average office desktop harboured 400 times more bacteria than the average office toilet seat. |
They also found that, compared to men, on average women have three to four times the amount of germs in, on and around their work area. |
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