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First In-Office Study Dishes The Dirt On Desks Researchers Find Average Desk Harbors OAKLAND, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 15, 2002 -- Working late again? You're not alone, according to a new study by University of Arizona germ guru Dr. Charles Gerba. You have plenty of bacteria keeping you company. The study, the first of its kind to measure normal bacterial levels inside offices across America, found paper isn't all that's piling up on desks. In fact, the average desk harbors 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. "For bacteria, a desk is really the laptop of luxury," said Gerba. "They can feast all day from breakfast to lunch and even dinner." Gerba and his researchers found that unless desks were wiped clean with a disinfectant during the day, bacteria levels climbed higher and higher, peaking after lunch. Office Rankings The study, funded by a grant from The Clorox Company, found that surfaces in personal work areas such as offices and cubes, had higher bacteria levels than surfaces in common areas. Telephones came in as the #1 home for office germs, followed by desks, water fountain handles, microwave door handles and computer keyboards. Surprisingly, toilet seats consistently had the lowest bacteria levels of the 12 surfaces tested in the study. "We don't think twice about eating at our desks, even though the average desk has 100 times more bacteria than a kitchen table and 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet," Gerba said. "Without cleaning, a small area on your desk or phone can sustain millions of bacteria that could potentially cause illness." With more people spending more time at their desks - the average workweek has increased to 47.1 hours according to the Families and Work Institute - bacteria are finding plenty to snack on. Study Highlights For the study, Gerba and his team separated office workers into two groups. One group used disinfecting wipes to clean their desks, phones and computers; the other did not. Within two days, the wipes users were found to have a 99.9 percent reduction in bacteria levels. The study team evaluated a variety of office locations, environments and surfaces. Study sites included private offices, cubicles and common work areas in offices located in New York, San Francisco, Tucson and Tampa. A total of 7,000 samples were collected nationwide and analyzed at the University of Arizona laboratories. Other study highlights:
Bacteria Busters So how can workers control the spread of illness-causing bacteria? "One good way to kill bacteria and help stop the spread of germs is to regularly clean your personal workspace," offered Dr. Gerba. "During the study, we found that using disinfecting wipes can dramatically reduce that number and therefore help reduce your chances of illness." About Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes make it easy to clean and disinfect in one easy step. Using disinfecting wipes once a day instead of dishrags, sponges or paper towels, can also stop bacteria from spreading from one surface to another. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9 percent of the germs (Influenza A2 virus and Rotavirus) that cause flu, as well as the bacteria (Staph and Salmonella) commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. To decrease the spread of germs throughout a typical workday, use "a wipe a day" on desks, computer mouse and keyboards, doorknobs, and telephones where germ levels continue to build up throughout the day.
WORKPLACE GERM STUDY FACT SHEET Recently, University of Arizona microbiologist Dr. Charles P. Gerba undertook a first-of-its-kind study of germs in the workplace. The study was conducted over the course of a typical workweek in offices in four cities. The purpose of the study was threefold:
- To measure the effectiveness of a "wipe-a-day" disinfecting routine in reducing illness-causing germs in the workplace STUDY SITES Typical offices in New York City, San Francisco, Tampa, FL, and Tucson, AZ. Each office:
METHODOLOGY The study took place during June, July and August 2001. Participants at each location were divided into two groups: a study group (wipes users) and a control group (non-wipes users). Surfaces were measured three times a day to understand bacteria levels and the effect of a "wipe-a-day" cleaning routine.
The surfaces tested were:
RESULTS The top five most germ-contaminated spots were (in order):
Throughout the day, levels of bacteria among non-wipes users increased by as much as 31 percent. Among wipes users, illness-causing microorganisms were reduced 99 percent or more, even in the most contaminated areas . CONCLUSIONS
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