This may kill blogging...

Keyboard may be filthier than toilet seat
2006-05-03 12:10 (New York)

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., May 3 (UPI) -- A list of germ-laden places -- including the computer keyboard -- in the average person's life by the maker of a hand sanitizer is of no comfort to misophobics.In its "99 Places Where You Need to Watch Out for Germs," the makers of Purell Hand Sanitizer warn that computer keyboards could be filthier than a public toilet seat."Most people probably think they have a good idea of common germy places, but when they check this list, I think they'll be surprised to learn of other grimy places or things where they can pick up germs that may make them sick," said Dr. Qing Li, Director of Dermatology at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.The list, available online at purell.com, lists telephones and handsets, cash, books, barbells and ATM keypads as places where germs are waiting to attach themselves to a human hand.Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona offered a surprise revelation."In tests I have conducted, I have found that portable toilets actually have fewer germs by far than outdoor playground equipment, escalator handrails, shopping cart handles and picnic tables," he said.