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May 01, 2008
Considering The Crap Most Of Us Type...
...this is not surprising
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.
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.
Oh, the damage to the atmosphere that will be caused today by people scurrying about to spray Lysol on their keyboards!
Here's an interesting bit of trivia:
They also found that on average women have three to four times the amount of germs in, on and around their work area.
That's because men lift the keyboard when they use it...
Posted by Mr. Bingley at May 1, 2008 09:10 AM
Comments
I've tried soaking the keyboard in bleach, but that just seemed to cause other problems.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at May 1, 2008 11:11 AM
Not surprising. A crapper is far more likely to get regular cleaning and sanitizing, due to its function, than a computer keyboard. People just don't realize just how many contaminants and bacteria they pick up on their hands and transfer to other surfaces. Most likely because germs can't be seen with the naked eye so "out of sight, out of mind".
Posted by: Gunslinger at May 1, 2008 04:50 PM
90% or so of bacterial species are non-pathogenic. Honestly? I'd be a lot more worried about some of the cleaning solutions and the chemicals they contain than the buggies on my keyboard.
And some people argue that antibacterial soaps and creams and sprays are even worse...that's a can of worms I'm not gonna open other than to say I don't use antibacterials and I almost never get sick.
(And for that matter - it's kind of the "toothbrush rule" - it's my keyboard, I'm the only one who uses it, so they're just my germs.)
Posted by: ricki at May 1, 2008 05:30 PM
1.The remaining ten percent might not sound like much but it is significant enough to merit caution. With that said…
2. An excellent point. Antibacterial products actually make things worse since some bugs develop resistance to said products and become more virulent. Plain ol' soap and a little diligence with habits goes much further to promote good hygiene than gimmicks.
3.The "toothbrush rule" is a good rule to have, especially in the office. Unfortunately, others don't seem to share that philosophy.
Posted by: Gunslinger at May 1, 2008 09:35 PM
I consider this obsession with bacteria everywhere to be unhealthy. Seriously. Howard Hughes became neurotic about germs, and look how he ended up.
The world is dirty, people. Bacteria are generally good for us. Deal with it.
Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at May 1, 2008 11:30 PM
I figured women would have only twice as much, given a mans abbility to type one handed....
Posted by: WunderKraut at May 2, 2008 09:12 AM
other than to say I don't use antibacterials and I almost never get sick.
AMEN to that, my sistah! Poor major dad just had to spend a week driving around with someone who squeezes and spreads hand sanitizer compulsively.
With all our poochie flotsam and jetsons rampaging about, I guess we're safe from having to invite him for dinner.
Posted by: tree hugging sister at May 2, 2008 09:39 AM
That's because men lift the keyboard when they use it...
Nice, Bingley. Heheheheh...
Posted by: T1G at May 3, 2008 05:12 PM