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Vicki Friedman, The Clorox Company, vicki.friedman@clorox.com, (510) 208.4271
Mary Seltzer, Ketchum, mary.seltzer@ketchum.com, (415) 984.2235
IS YOUR JOB MAKING YOU SICK?
New study compares professions germ by germ
to determine “germiest” job
OAKLAND, Calif., (February 15, 2006) — Finally a little retribution this tax season. Your
accountant is being audited.
In another installment of “Germs in the Workplace,” researchers led by the University of
Arizona’s Dr. Charles Gerba set out to compare whether some professions are truly “germier”
than others. What they found put accountants in the top germ bracket and publicists and
lawyers in the bottom bracket. According to the researchers, the bacteria levels in accountants’
offices were nearly seven times higher than in lawyers’ offices.
“College students may want to reconsider their majors based on these results,” joked Dr. Gerba.
“TV producers, consultants, and lawyers ranked on the low end of the germ spectrum.” In the
number one spot were teachers, a finding that didn’t surprise Dr. Gerba’s researchers. “This is
clearly one test on which teachers would not like to receive such ‘high marks’,” added Dr.
Gerba. “But then again, when your officemates are children, it is no surprise that classroom surfaces
are off the germ charts.”
Cleaning Up On the Job
The study, which was funded by The Clorox Company, found that the phones, desks and keyboards
regularly used by teachers, accountants and bankers harbored nearly two to twenty
times more bacteria per square inch than other professions. Phones ranked as the #1 home for
office germs, followed by desks, keyboards and computer mice. In a change since the
researchers first began tracking “Germs in the Workplace” in 2002, bacteria presence on office
surfaces overall appears to have decreased, in some cases by nearly five times the initial count,
Dr. Gerba said.
“We were pleased to find a decrease in bacteria levels. Perhaps people are becoming more
aware of germs in their office and doing something about it,” said Gerba.
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