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April 25th, 2008

Did You Know: Dishwasher-Safe Computer Keyboards

Abstract:
To protect yourself from the worst flu season in four years, toss aside those pricey herbal remedies and look to the root of the virus-spreading factor, your computer keyboard.

A recent report from National Public Radio (NPR) revealed that a computer keyboard can contain twice as much bacteria as a toilet seat.

According to the American Society for Microbiology, a computer keyboard can house flu and cold germs for several weeks, during which the virus can easily spread from person to person.

To help combat the flu bug, Seal Shield, a corporation that specializes in manufacturing washable computer devices, recently released an antimicrobial keyboard.

Scott Filion, vice president of sales for Seal Shield, said that the idea to create a dishwasher-safe keyboard originally stemmed from the demand for disinfectant solutions within the healthcare market.

"Hospitals began using alcohol, bleaches and other disinfectants on their keyboards, but that isn't enough," Filion wrote in an e-mail to City on a Hill Press.

Filion explained that the hidden areas between the keys make keyboards ideal breeding grounds for bacteria. He said that in order to protect the public from contracting a virus, the keyboard needs to be both washable and antimicrobial.

According to Filion, the washable keyboard, which utilizes nanotechnology, contains miniature glass cylinders that encase the essential antimicrobial component, silver ions. These nano-particles are embedded in the keyboard's plastic outer covering that release the virus-killing ions upon contact with water or moisture.

Source:
cityonahillpress.com

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