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Study finds high levels of bacteria in personal office space - Brief Article

A researcher from the University of Arizona has found that office desks harbor 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat, according to a March 28, 2002, news release from the Clorox Co. The study, which measured normal bacteria levels in offices in New York, San Francisco, Tucson, and Tampa, Fla, found that surfaces in personal work areas contained higher levels of bacteria than those in common areas. The highest bacteria levels were found on telephones, desks, water fountain handles, microwave oven door handles, and computer keyboards.

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Even a small area of a desk can harbor millions of bacteria, which can cause illness, according to the release. Bacteria levels were found to increase an average of 19% to 31% throughout the work day, with the highest levels occurring after lunch. Office workers who used a disinfectant to clean their desks, telephones, and computers once per day reduced bacteria levels by 99.9% in two days.

First In-office Study Dishes the Dirt on Desks (news release, Oakland, Calif: The Clorox Co, March 28, 2002) http://www.prnewswire.com (accessed 28 March 2002).

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Study finds high levels of bacteria in personal office space - Brief Article

AORN Journal, May, 2002

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