The six dirtiest office surfaces

Study tests 4,800 office surfaces for ATP

This article was published on 05.31.12

The office can foster sickening, infectious scum—and no, we don’t mean your co-workers. According to a study conducted by Kimberly-Clark Professional, many surfaces in an office building are typically crawling with adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—the energy molecule found in all animal, bacteria, mold and plant cells. Researchers swabbed 4,800 surfaces in offices, including law firms, health-care companies and call centers, and ran the swabs through a device measuring ATP. Though the device did not specifically test for bacteria, surfaces with high levels of ATP are considered breeding grounds for germs. A score of 300 ATP or more earned an “officially dirty” ranking. The study recorded “officially dirty” levels on:

• 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

Source: www.webmd.com