Your cellphone could be dirtier than used socks

Your beloved cellphone is dirtier than the lid of your trash can. Analyn Perez

What's dirtier and has more germs—a trash bin cover, used socks, or your cellphone? You may be surprised by the answer. At Procter & Gamble's Germ Academy media event last week, guests were taught to use a luminometer—a photometric device that detects a sample's level of contamination—to measure the cleanliness of random items we use every day, including cellphones, watches and IDs. When we used the device on a cellphone, we got a measurement above that of a trash bin cover and used socks—which means the cellphone is dirtier! Now, just imagine holding your cellphone up to your face, very near your mouth. According to a study done by the company, everyday objects such as phone receivers, light switches, kitchen faucets, the refrigerator and the microwave carry germs that can make us sick. “Sixty percent of household surfaces are infected with the influenza virus during the flu season,” said P&G communications officer Clint Navales. Sick during summer In a chance interview at the sidelines of the event, Dr. Eric Tayag of the Department of Health warned the public against common diseases and health problems that tend to occur a lot during the summer—the “six S's” of "sipon at ubo, suka at pagtatae, sore eyes, sunburn, sakit sa balat, at sakmal ng aso." "Marami sa kanila we can prevent by proper hygiene,” he said. “Halimbawa, 'yung suka't tae, sipon, ubo, kailangang maghugas ka ng kamay para you won't spread germs to another person. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze or blow your nose," he said. "Doon naman sa sore eyes, kasama rin iyon sa hygiene. You don't touch your eyes na may sore eyes kasi malilipat 'yung dumi and you can spread it to other people. 'Yung sunburn naman, syempre iwas tayo sa init ng araw, mag-apply tayo ng sunblock. Sakit sa balat, personal hygiene rin iyon. Apat sa anim, personal hygiene ang kailangan," he added. Helpful hygiene tips 1. Sing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice. Wash your hands for the same length of time it would take you to sing “Happy Birthday” twice—or exactly 20 seconds, said Dr. Tayag. Washing with just water is okay, but in order to kill the germs, soap is needed, he added. 2. Avoid touching your mouth and eyes. Dr. Tayag said a person can be contaminated with germs at the touch of an infected hand or item to the eyes or mouth. 3. Clean regularly and use correct cleaning products. When washing hands, use a clean cloth. When washing dishes, use a clean sponge, said Navales. People don't think of them that way, but washcloths and sponges are formites, or objects that are capable of carrying disease—so instead of cleaning, they may actually do more harm. It is also important to use the proper cleaning products, said Navales. For instance, laundry detergent would not work for cleaning dishes because it does not have the right ingredients to remove oil and lard. 4. Keep toothbrushes far from the toilet. Fecal bacteria and viruses are ejected from the toilet during flushing, said Navales. Because of this, toothbrushes and other dental items should be kept away from the toilet—or maybe even outside the bathroom. — BM, GMA News