Infographic: The places germs lurk the most at school

posted Sep 12, 2014, 2:27 PM by Todd Fox   [ updated Sep 23, 2016, 2:13 PM ]

Download the infographic image or use the stats contained within this post!  There are germs everywhere but you can do your body a favor and avoid the places with a large concentration of bacteria.  Now that the surfaces with a lot of germs have been identified, you can use Glo Germ to show students, employees, and so forth how to clean or wash surfaces/hands.  Here is the germ stats extracted from the infection control infographic:

The places germs lurk the most at school

The different school surfaces were judged and measured in colony forming units per square inch (CFU/square inch).
  • Water fountain spigot in a classroom- 2,700,000 CFU/in sq
  • Water fountain spigot in a cafeteria- 62,000 CFU/in sq
  • Plastic reusable cafeteria tray- 33,800 CFU/in sq
  • Faucet handle for cold water- 32,000 CFU/in sq
  • Faucet handle for hot water- 18,000 CFU/in sq
  • Cafeteria plate- 15,800 CFU/in sq
  • Keyboard in a classroom- 3,300 CFU/in sq
  • Student's hand- 1,200 CFU/in sq
  • Toilet seat- 3,200 CFU/in sq
  • Classroom animal cage- 1,200 CFU/in sq
Help keep germs at bay by washing your hands properly.  Always use warm water and soap.  Scrub for at least 20 seconds.

Glo Germ and handwashing

Glo Germ is fluorescent gel or fluorescent powder used to simulate germs.  You can put the Glogerm on hands, desks, nurse stations, etc. to show how germs spread.  Simulation germs are also very effective for food safety and healthcare infection control.

Info graphic compiled by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC Urgent Care: source www.nsf.org)