Do You Want to be Safe or Would You Rather be Sorry??
Use Easygel® Swab Testing
To Ensure Cleanliness of Your Environment and Products

In an informative note published in Microbe, Vol. 2, No. 3 pp. 375-376 titled “Pathogens Seem to be Everywhere – Even in Soap Dispensers”, author Brian Hoyle cites information from two poster presentations at the 107th ASM General Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada held in May, 2007.

In a study done at the University of Toledo, Ohio, computer keyboards were swabbed and cultures from those swabs revealed methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other drug-resistant bacteria in 22 of 24 tested keyboards.

In a second study conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona , Tuscon, more than 2500 swab samples from a variety of locations were tested. MRSA was found in almost 70% of grab bar and door exit handles of buses and even more often in swab samples from airplane tray tables. “It’s the kind of study that makes you want to wash your hands” was the statement from one of the UA researchers. However, in an additional study which tested soap dispensers in public restrooms and restaurants, it was found that 23% of 130 refillable soap dispensers were contaminated with viable bacteria, including many pathogens.

According to Hoyle, both groups of researchers defend and recommend the practice the practice of handwashing, both before and after handling or touching articles or materials exposed to public contamination.

References:

Issmat Kassem, Von Sigler, Malak Esseili, Public Computer Surfaces are Reservoirs for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococci. ASM Abstract Database, 2007 General Meeting ( 5/21/2007 through 5/25/2007 )

Sheri Maxwell, Marisa Chattman, Charles Gerba, Bacterial Contamination of Liquid Hand Soaps. ASM Abstract Database, 2007 General Meeting ( 5/21/2007 through 5/25/2007 ).

Jonathan Sexton, Sheri Maxwell, Charles Gerba, Occurrence of MRSA on Fomites in Public Facilities. ASM Abstract Database, 2007 General Meeting ( 5/21/2007 through 5/25/2007 ).

CALL MICROLOGY LABORATORIES AT 888-327-9435
FOR INFORMATION ON THE EASYGEL® RAPID METHOD FOR DOING SWAB TESTING
(also see our Easygel® swab kit – on the home page,
click on “food microbiology”, then click on “restaurant swab kit”)