Its In The News!

February, 2005

Falcon Safety Products sponsered a national survey of over 1,300 computer repair professionals regarding "PC Hygiene."   According to the results, over 70% of computer CPU failures were due to poor maintenance.  Lack of proper cleaning was also responsible for 70% of keyboard failures and 85% of breakdowns in printers and mouse devices.  One technician estimated that 90% of his hardware replacements resulted from excessive dirt.  Among the most vulnerable components, especially around cigarette smoke, were fans, keyboards and printers.

They go on to explain the process of what actually happens, how does it get so dirty?  The computer's cooling fans force cool air into the computer, but along with it comes dust and cigarette smoke.  Dust is heavier than air and forms an insulating blanket, settling and corroding the computer's delicate circuity.  This is like a slow death, a premature breakdown caused by overheating and decay.  Dust also has the ability to conduct electricity, thus posing  threat of a short circuit at any given time.

For more info visit www.falconsafety.com

September  2001

A recent study from the University of Arizona states that the average desk has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat!  The man who conducted this study, Dr.Charles Gerba, states "for bacteria, the desk is really the laptop of luxury."

Gerba's one-of-a-kind study (funded by the Clorox company) took a look at typical office sites in several locations across the United States.  Each included the usual mix of cubicles, open spaces, and private offices.  Bacterial samples were taken several times a day from just about every surface.

The results?  Telephones came in as the No. 1 germ ridden site, followed by desk tops, water fountain handles, microwave door handles, and keyboards!

The biggest surprise was that toilets seats consistently had the lowest bacteria levels of all!

We don't think twice about eating at our desks, even though the average desk has 100 times more bacteria than the kitchen table and more than 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat!

The study showed that cleaning these areas regularily can reduce bacteria count by 99.9%.  The study also found that when not cleaned, bacteria can increase 19% to 31% each day!

www.cloroxdisinfectingwipes.com

March 2000

"Keep Your PC Clean to Keep It Running"

The advice in this article in PC WORLD Magazine is "in dust prone areas, having your system cleaned every three to six months will add years to the life of your PC.   This is to help avert the chips and circuits two mortal enemies: heat and corrosion."

January 1998

ABC News did a story about spreading germs and illness in the workplace.  They stated that New York University's microbiologist Dr. Phillip Tierno found on office equipment: Human contamination from the mouth and skin.  Surprisingly also feces on phones, desktops, and on the buttons on them.  

The Calgary Herald of February 1996 highlights  the University Of Calgary Professor Tang Lee mentioned "Our fascination with high tech equipment gives germs more opportunity to travel on all those buttons on computer keyboards, fax machines, telephones, and printers etc.  Common causes of indoor workers taking sick leave are colds, flu, pneumonia, strep throat, and sniffed.  The most likely source for these germs is the computer equipment.