01 May 08 Your Keyboard – A Health Hazard

I n London, England, the UK consumer rights group, Which?, conducted tests on computer keyboards in its offices there.

Over thirty keyboards were tested, and four were flagged as being a potential health hazard, and one was so bad that the microbiologist conducting the tests ordered it to be removed, and cleaned.

It had FIVE times more germs than one of their office toilet seats, and 150 times the safe limit for bacteria in such a location.

If a user has a cold, or something more serious such as gastro-enteritis, it can easily be passed onto the next user via the keyboard.

Many people eat at their computers, and the crumbs that fall between the keys can harbor many harmful germs.

It’s a good idea to clean your computer regularly, and not to eat whilst at your desk.