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Keyboards Dirtier Than Toilet Seats?

Here’s an interesting story from Ananova that should come as no surprise to many of you:

keyboardpoop.jpg“Some computer keyboards carry more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat, according to new research. 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 harbored five times more germs than one of the office’s toilet seats. A microbiologist ordered the worst 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.

Dr. Wilson, a consultant microbiologist at University College London Hospital, said 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. ‘Should somebody have a cold in your office, or even have gastroenteritis, you’re very likely to pick it up from a keyboard.’

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.”

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I have nothing to add to the story; I just wanted an excuse to use this Melissa McEwan graphic of a keyboard that reads “POOP.” BTW, I swam in Miami canals when I was a kid and played with every stray or wild animal that came near me. Dirty keyboards don’t scare me.

Posted on May 6, 2008 at 08:00AM by Registered CommenterDoug in , | Comments8 Comments

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Reader Comments (8)

Oh, all right, I'll clean the damn thing!!

May 6 | Unregistered CommenterFrazier

Actually, I keep our toilet seats sparkling clean. I can't say the same for our keyboards. I doubt they have had more than periodic air blasts since we bought them 3 years ago, so they are probably past due.

May 6 | Unregistered CommenterTina

Looks like an old laptop that spent too much time in the sun lol.

May 6 | Unregistered CommenterRandy

How did they get a picture of my keyboard?

May 6 | Unregistered CommenterAndy

A little disinfectant spray goes a long way, but this one looks like it needs major work first or maybe replacement. I know a couple co-workers whose keyboards look like this or worse. It is disgusting. Their entire cubicles are a pig pen. Some people are just filthy.

May 6 | Unregistered Commenterjasmine

We have a lady like that. Her work area is disgusting. We had a temp come in when she was on maternity leave and they refused to touch the keyboard or work in the area, that's how bad it was!

May 6 | Unregistered CommenterLouise

EVERYONE knows a co-worker like that. I say spray them down with industrial strength Formula 409 and turn a fire hose on them!

And for the record, I cleaned my monitor AND keyboard Friday with some snooty special monitor and keyboard cleaner so you can eat off it now :)

May 6 | Unregistered CommenterGarth

Does anyone have pictures of their grungy keyboards to share?

May 6 | Unregistered CommenterChelley

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