News

Is your job making you sick?

Friday, February 17, 2006

In another installment of "Germs in the Workplace," researchers led by the University of Arizona's Dr. Charles Gerba set out to compare whether some professions are truly "germier" than others.

When comparing workplaces, a study by Clorox Disinfecting Wipes found accountants in the top germ bracket and publicists and lawyers in the bottom bracket. According to the researchers, the bacteria levels in accountants' offices were nearly seven times higher than in lawyers' offices. In the number one spot were teachers, a finding that didn't surprise the researchers.

After all, when your officemates are children, it is no surprise that classroom surfaces are off the germ charts!

Some of the study's findings include:

TV producers, consultants, and lawyers ranked on the low end of the germ spectrum.

Phones ranked as the #1 home for office germs, followed by desks, keyboards and computer mice

Surfaces regularly used by teachers, accountants and bankers harbored two to twenty times more bacteria per square inch than other professions' surfaces.

Dr. Gerba's previous "Germs in the Workplace" studies have looked at the presence of viruses within the workplace. In one study, Dr. Gerba and his researchers found that an infected person can leave a trail of viruses on every surface they touch ? and viruses can survive on surfaces for up to three days.

Dr. Gerba recommends frequent hand-washing and using one disinfecting wipe a day on surfaces in your cubicle or office to kill illness-causing germs.

Germiest Jobs

Teacher

Accountant

Banker

Radio DJ

Doctor

Top spots for germs:

Phones

Desks

Computer Keyboard

Computer Mouse

Fewest germs:

Doorknobs (surprising)

As people spend more time at their desks, germs find plenty to snack on. According to a recent American Dietician Association survey, while more than 75 percent of workers "only occasionally" clean their desks before eating; 20 percent never do. Since 57 percent snack at their desks at least once a day, a daily cleaning routine shouldn't be too hard to swallow.

"Desks are really bacteria cafeterias," said Dr. Gerba. "They're breakfast buffets, lunch tables and snack bars, as we spend more and more hours at the office. Germ levels on desks could be considered a business liability." With flu season looming in some areas of the U.S. and already in full swing in others, illness prevention at work and home is top of mind for many Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that as of January 28, 2006, 5 states reported widespread influenza activity; 21 states and New York City reported regional influenza activity; 13 states reported local influenza activity.

Dr. Gerba recommends frequent hand-washing and using one disinfecting wipe a day on surfaces in your cubicle or office to kill illness-causing germs. This modern day take on the age-old adage "an apple a day will keep the doctor away" can be effective, as long as people really do it, notes Dr. Gerba. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9 percent of the germs that can cause cold and flu.

Get more News »