Swab tests on smartphones and tablets have revealed ‘hazardous’ levels of germs that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even harbour infections such as e.coli.
One iPad had 600 units of Staphylococcus aureus, which creates toxins that can lead to food poisoning. Comparatively, an office toilet only bared less than 20 units of the bacteria. Smartphones carried between 140 and 480 units.
Which? said the results stem from today’s hectic lifestyles, with grubby fingers, snacking while typing and rushed toilet breaks all to blame. Part of the problem is down to people taking their must-have tech gadgets into the bathroom with them.
James Francis, the microbiologist who carried out the resaearch, said: "A count of 600 on a plastic device of any sort is incredibly high. It indicates that some people don’t wash their hands a lot.
"In the food industry, if we found those levels of bacteria from a hand swab of a food handler, they’d have to be taken out of the workplace and retrained in basic hygiene."
Tests for Enterobacteria revealed 15,000 of the bacteria on one tablet, four smartphones and five keyboards. This can lead to e.coli and salmonella.
Earlier this summer media regulator Ofcom revealed that we are so addicted to our smartphones and tablet computers that over one in ten now view video content on a device such as the iPad in the bathroom.
Which? said it was essential to keep devices clean by using anti-bacterial wipes, and not to just rely on wiping your phone with a shirt sleeve.
Keyboard users should tip them upside down and shake them to "dislodge any old food crumbs, dust and skin flakes". Damp, soft, lint-free cloths should be used to remove streaks from phones and tablets.
