Office computers dirtier than toilets, say researchers

WORKERS have long been warned about the dangers of heavy machinery and toxic materials but the computer keyboard poses one of the greatest workplace hazards, researchers have warned.

Its surface contains hundreds of times more bacteria per square inch than the office toilet seat and it is reckoned to be twice as filthy as a refuse bin.

US microbiologist Dr Charles Gerba uncovered the shocking extent of bacteria on workplace surfaces during research at the University of Arizona.

On a male toilet the scientists found 1,697 RLU (relative light units), which measures bacteria contamination. An average dustbin reached around 10,000, but a keyboard measured 25,165 RLU.

Office workers can touch their computer keyboards more than 40,000 times a day, turning them into ideal hosts and breeding grounds for bacteria. With more people eating at their desk, this adds to the hazard.

“The canteen is a thing of the past,” said Dublin environmental health officer Dave O’Brien yesterday. “They have a coffee dock and people come back to their desks to eat.”

IT hygiene firm Techclean routinely analyses computer screens, keyboard and electronic mice to examine their health risks.

“The equipment is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” said sales director Richard Samarasinghe. “Companies are happy to employ window cleaners and people to vacuum but many of them forget about the danger at their fingertips.

“Illnesses which can be transmitted via the computer keyboard include skin diseases, rashes, eczema, fungal infections, diphtheria, thrush, herpes, gastroenteritis, gum disorders, pneumonia, hepatitis and blood poisoning.”

Bugs such as listeria and salmonella linger for up to 24 hours on fingertips and can survive for the same period on keyboards.

Surveys indicate that four out of 10 male workers - and one-in-five women - do not wash their hands after using the toilet.

Against this background, Safefood, the Irish food safety promotion board, recently ran a TV ad stressing the importance of hand washing. Experts say regular use of anti-bacterial wipes and specialist IT contractors can help restrict keyboard infection rates.