Beware of Contaminated Surfaces in the Workplace

Summary of "How quickly viruses can contaminate buildings -- from just a single doorknob" by American Society for Microbiology

American Society of Microbiology wrote that viruses spread rapidly through the workplace from just one commonly used surface. During a period of two to four hours, 60% of a virus was found on employees. Using QUATS (disinfecting wipes) registered by the EPA have proven useful for disinfecting surfaces and therefore reducing illnesses contracted from being in a building. QUATS was used in an experiment where employees were instructed to use wipes correctly. "The number of formites on which virus was detected was reduced by 80% or greater and the concentration of virus reduced by 99% or more." says American Society of Microbiology (American Society of Microbiology, 2014).

I found this article to be interesting and appealing because it is thought-provoking. It left me with something to think about at the end and something to dwell on. "Within 2 to 4 hours the virus could be detected on 40 to 60 percent of workers and visitors..." says American Society of Microbiology. Since germs can spread so quickly, it makes me wonder how dangerous flu and norovirus can be. What confused me was the numbers and percentages used as data.

American Society for Microbiology. (2014, September 8). How quickly viruses can
contaminate buildings -- from just a single doorknob. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 10, 2014 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/ 140908093640.htm