Keyboards 'dirtier than toilet seats'
Friday, 02 May 2008 05:35
Germs lurking under the keyboard could cause stomach upsets
In Focus
Join the fight against childhood obesity by logging on to our webchat. Full Story
People who eat their lunch at their desk during work could increase their risk of becoming ill, a consumer watchdog has warned.
Which? Computing found that some keyboards contain more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat as crumbs from food fall under the keys.
This bacteria can cause food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhoea and other stomach illnesses.
Researchers for Which? made the warning after testing keyboards from a London office.
In one case a microbiologist recommended a keyboard be removed from the office as it had 150 times the recommended limit of bacteria and was five times dirtier than a toilet seat.
The Which? survey also found that the frequency people clean their computers and keyboards varies widely.
One in ten said they never cleaned their keyboard while one in five admitted they had never cleaned their mouse.
Which? Computing editor Sarah Kidner said: "Most people don't give much thought to the grime that builds up on their PC but if you don't clean your computer you might as well eat your lunch off the toilet.
"Why not give your PC a spring clean? It's quite simple to do and could prevent your computer from becoming a health hazard."
People are advised to shut down and unplug their PC before cleaning it. Dust and crumbs should be removed from the keyboard, which can be cleaned with alcohol wipes.
