Even though there has not been a research conducted explicitly on how bacteria build on industrial type devices and equipment, there are numerous studies which identify common areas within Companies which have a high potential of transferring germs including viruses.Viruses of all kind, e.g. noro or corona viruses survive a substantial amount of time on surfaces. However in an office environment, it doesn’t really matter how long it can survive on a particular surface, as germs spread quickly, according to a study of the American Society for Microbiology.
Using tracer viruses, researchers found that contamination of just a single doorknob or tabletop results in the spread of germs throughout office buildings, hotels, and health care facilities.
They have placed a sample of a harmless virus on a single doorknob or tabletop in an office building. The first area that was contaminated was the coffee break room, says study researcher Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona. Within two to four hours, the virus could be detected on 40% to 60% of workers, visitors and commonly touched objects.
In the study, Gerba and his colleagues used bacteriophage MS-2 as a surrogate for the human norovirus, as it is similar in shape, size and resistance to disinfectants. The phage was placed on 1 to 2 commonly touched surfaces (doorknob or tabletop) at the beginning of the day in office buildings, conference room and a healthcare facility.
After various periods of time (2 to 8 hours) they sampled 60 to 100 fomites, surfaces capable of carrying infectious organisms (light switches, bed rails, tabletops, countertops, push buttons, coffee pots handles, sink tap handles, doorknobs, phones and computer equipment), for the phages.
"Within 2 to 4 hours between 40 to 60% of the fomites sampled were contaminated with virus," says Gerba.
Poor hygiene from office workers can exacerbate to this, too: according to a publication by CDC only 31% of men and 65% of women are properly washing their hand after using a public restroom. In the intervention phase cleaning personal and employees were provided with a disinfectant containing wipes and instructed on proper use (use of at least once daily). The number of fomites on which virus was detected was reduced by 80% or greater and the concentration of virus reduced by 99% or more
The key to a safe and healthy work environment is not just proper hygiene, but even more so clean high-contact surfaces which include pushbuttons and light switches.
The problem with most switches is though, they cannot be properly cleaned due to their mechanical design (non-hygiene conform) and their poor protection against water and other chemicals.
Therefore, CAPTRON has developed several hygiene confirm touch switches, which exceed standards and survive multiple daily cleanings or even wash-downs. Learn more about the products on our dedicated landing page https://www.captron.us/applications/medical-food/ or contact firstname.lastname@example.org.
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