How Smartphones And Tablets Now Harbour Thousands More Germs Than A Toilet Seat

September 21, 2013

Some touchscreens on tablet computers and smartphones carry many more germs than a toilet seat, say researchers.

The bacteria are being left behind as users swipe and poke the screens of devices such as Apple iPads and Samsung Galaxy tablets without washing their hands.

One tablet tested by consumer group Which? had a count of 600 units per swab of the staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can create toxins that cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

A typical toilet seat has a staphylococcus aureus count of less than 20.

Which? also found enterobacteria, which can include strains of infections such as E. coli and salmonella.

High-risk levels, more than 1,000 units of enterobacteria per swab, were found on eight of the 30 tablets tested and seven of the 30 smartphones.

The worst tablet had a count of 15,000 units per swab, with four phones and five keyboards also registering this level.

Toilet seats typically had less than ten units per swab of enterobacteria.

Firms like Apple actively discourage users from using detergents on their touchscreens because they can damage them.

The presence of the germs is simply a reflection of the fact that touchscreen users failed to wash their hands properly, while few people bother to clean the devices and keyboards.

An expert microbiologist consulted by Which? noted that if the high levels of bacteria were found on the hands of anyone working in the food industry, they would require immediate re-training in basic hygiene.

Which? editor Richard Headland, said: ‘It’s shocking that a smartphone or tablet can harbour more germs than a toilet seat. Gadgets should be cleaned regularly and thoroughly to avoid germs that could lead to illness.’

He said the best method is to use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth, rather than detergents. Apple warns people not to use alcohol-based cleaners on iPads or iPhones, as these can damage the screen.

News from : Dailymail