Are Computers Affecting Your Health? A study of the extent of sickness attributable to bacteria found on personal computers.

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2014-04-01

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Abstract

This study is intended to examine possible correlations between bacterial concentrations obtained by sampling personal computer keyboards and assessing the overall well being of participants. The objective is to detect changes in bacterial concentration by use of an aerosol sterilizer and correlate these concentrations with a health score obtained from daily surveys filled out by the participant. This research evaluates two hypotheses—the first deals with changes in overall estimated bacterial concentration between the groups, and the second deals with a correlation between the estimated concentrations and health score. Peer-Reviewed scientific literature has shown that many surfaces can act as fomites and transfer bacteria from object to object, person to person, or object to person. Pathogenic bacteria can be transferred onto these objects and may cause disease when people are infected. A blinded cross-over study using aerosol sterilizer and a placebo cleaner was conducted to test if computer users are healthier when their computers have fewer bacteria. This study showed no statistical evidence to support that cleaning a personal computer has any affect on the health of the user. However, this study only analyzed personal computers; other public fomites may play a more important role in the transfer of pathogenic microorganisms.

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Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES, Research Subject Categories::INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS, bacteria, Pathogenic bacteria, computers, germs

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