Flickr/Creative Commons/Marisaxann94Whenever you walk into your workplace lunchroom, you are walking into a germ "hot-spot" according to a newly released study conducted by Kimberly-Clark Professional.
The study, believed to be one of the most detailed ever, identified the problem-places in the workplace where germs hang out.
The study utilized an ATP Meter to monitor sanitary conditions in industry. Hygenists swabbed objects to measure levels of ATP. Detection of ATP is an indicator to the presence of contamination. Objects with a reading of 300 or higher are considered to have a high risk for illness transmission.
According to the study conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of
Microbiology at the University of Arizona, the break room sink faucet
and microwave door handles had the highest levels of contamination.
In
fact, 75 percent of break room sink faucet handles and 48 percent of
microwave door handles were deemed to have an Adenosint Triphosphate
(ATP) count of 300 or higher.
Study Findings: (ATP count of 300 or higher)
- 75% of break room sink faucet handles
- 48% of microwave door handles
- 27 % of keyboards
- 26% of refrigerator door handles
- 23 % of water fountain buttons
- 21% of vending machine buttons
