Take a Good Look at Your Keyboard
By Leona Reese, Implementations Analyst
Did you know that nasty bacteria could be lurking on an unclean computer keyboard? Your mouse, headset, phone, and desk are all also swarming with disgusting germs. Look deep into your keyboard be-tween the keys. All the dust, dead skin, food bits, and microbes could be or are making you sick.
In one study, scientists swabbed 33 keyboards for food poisoning bugs, E. coli, coliforms, staphylococcus aureus, and enterobacteria and, compared to a toilet seat and a lavatory door handle, found the keyboards to have more bacteria! Of the 33 keyboards, 4 were found to be health hazards, and one of those was actually condemned. Two others had high warning levels of staphylococcus aureus, and another two had worrying levels of coliforms and enterobacteria, putting users at risk of becoming ill.
These germ-laden keyboards can make you sick in many ways, such as a stomach bug called “qwerty tummy” which is named from the first six letters on a keyboard. In many cases, keyboards have been blamed for causing several health problems.
How does all that bacteria come to live on your equipment? Causes for the bacteria include not washing your hands after using the restroom, and sneezing and coughing around or over your keyboard, mouse, headset and phone also spews bugs between keys and on surfaces. Those who eat at their desks may drop food particles or spill drinks between the keys, and these particles attracts bacteria, insects, and even rodents.
To help avoid illnesses caused by your equipment, follow these steps:
- Clean your work space regularly
- Frequently turn your keyboard upside down to shake out loose debris
- Wipe down all work surfaces
- Avoid eating at your computer
- Wash your hands regularly
Before cleaning a keyboard, cut the power source. Dust it with a soft-bristled dusting brush or use compressed air to blow out the keyboard. Use a dust vacuum to remove lodged debris. To disinfect, use a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol, gently rubbing between the tops and sides of keys. Do not forget your mouse, phones, headsets and desk surfaces.