Dear Savvy Friend,

I was horrified to learn today that my telephone is actually dirtier than a toilet seat!

And if you feel equally horrified by that thought – then consider this...

In 2002, US researchers at the University of Arizona (UA) conducted a study of bacteria levels in four office spaces in New York City, Tampa, Tucson and San Francisco. The offices were specifically chosen to prevent outside influences on bacteria levels. So each office had limited contact from street traffic (such as deliveries) and disinfectants were not heavily used by cleaning staff.
 
Researchers took multiple bacteria samples from 12 different surfaces (phone receivers, lift buttons, photocopiers, etc.) in cubicles, private offices, kitchens and restrooms. About 7,000 samples were collected from all four of the offices combined.
 
Why your telephone receiver is dirtier than a toilet seat…

After their data was analysed, the UA team came up with an average number of germs per square inch (GPSI) for each of the surfaces tested. The phones they tested had an average of more than 25,000 GPSI. And here’s the unnerving statistic that puts the phone receiver GPSI in perspective: Toilet seats averaged less than 50 GPSI. (Granted, toilets are more likely to get disinfected daily than telephones are. But still...).

Coming in second placue behind phone receivers were desktops: More than 20,000 GPSI. Computer keyboards were relatively pristine with a little under 3,300 GPSI. Other surfaces that scored high GPSIs: Water fountain handles and microwave door handles. Your computer mouse is also a popular germ hangout with more than 1,600 GPSI.
 
My advice? If you want to stay healthy and germ-free – follow these rules:

Rule #1: For starters, don’t eat at your desk.

Rule #2: The primary recommendation that came from the study called for a daily wiping down of telephones, computer keyboards, desktops, etc. with disinfectant wipes that contain chlorine bleach.
 
Rule #3: According to Roslyn Stone of the US Centres for Disease Control, thorough and frequent hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the flu.

Here’s to a germ-free Autumn! Until next week!