Handwashing is probably one of the easiest ways to prevent illness, but according to a study on public toilet use by environmental health experts at Michigan State University, only 1 in 20 people do it with any kind of consistency. This statistic definitely presents health dangers in any setting where many different people handle the same objects and some may carry viruses and bacteria into an area. To have a campaign that focuses on handwashing might sound good on paper, but in reality, many people simply don’t care about it at all.
Dangerous bacteria is more common in our tech gadgets than on toilet seats, according to a new study.
Cleanliness-conscious nurses should disinfect their smartphones, tablet computers and office keyboards with anti-bacterial wipes just as they might with any other piece of hospital equipment, the research suggests.
Consumer watchdog Which? said standard swab tests unearthed “hazardous” levels of germs that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even conceal infections such as E.coli.
It took swabs from 30 smartphones, tablets and keyboards.
One iPad had 600 units of Staphylococcus aureus, bacteria that produce toxins that can result in food poisoning.
This compares with under 20 units of Staphylococcus per swab off an office toilet, 140 on a smartphone and 480 on the filthiest keyboard.
To combat this, Kristina Duda of About.com suggests that employees should regularly clean their work areas and frequently used tools. However, in Nashville, where the business environment is very active and many different people go in and out of offices, the cleaning methods of a regular individual might not be good enough.
The answer lies with reliable commercial cleaning services in Nashville, TN who can ensure office surfaces, carpeting, upholstery, and flooring are meticulously cleaned. However, there are some companies that apply harsh cleaning solutions that can pose health risks to employees with allergies or asthma. Fortunately, there are companies like Nashville Brighthouse that only use environmentally friendly methods and products.
If offices remain unsanitary, companies can expect a number of their employees to fall ill and excuse themselves from work, which will have a negative impact on production and efficiency. Thus, to ensure a healthy and active work team, companies should rely on a dependable Nashville commercial cleaning service.
