If you were ever told that your mobile phone could pose a health risk because it harbored bacteria and other pathogens that could be transmitted between the human skin, your first idea would probably be to laugh it off. But, a U.K. study published in July by the Journal of applied Microbiology may be a wake-up call for many, as it revealed that the average cell phone harbors 18 times more germs than a toilet's flush handle in a public restroom.
It is indeed alarming to think how much bacteria is being swapped around every time your handset is touched. And, this is not just restricted to the handset, but applies to anything with a screen, which includes laptops, notebooks or even televisions. The cell phone perhaps is more vulnerable than the rest, because of its size and because of the extended way it is used.
Results of the study revealed that several bacteria forms were evident on the screen surface, including those that can cause Staph-related diseases, the flu, or an allergic skin rash. Bacteria such as e.coli, Staphylococcus Aurous, and enterobacteria were found to be in unsafe amounts on the phones. This might actually make you sit up and think twice before you pass your handset over to someone so they can look at the screen.
A group of research workers came up with an answer to the bacterial contamination of screens by suggesting the use of a screen protector that kills the most common bacteria. The protector is an almost pure film coating that eliminates of 99 percent of Escherichia Coli and 88 percent of Staphylococcus Aurous.
Protectors are available for a huge range of handsets, including all of the most popular Nokia phone models, as well as a range of laptops, netbooks, tablets and smartphones. All of these films protect the screen from fingerprints and scratching, provide an anti-glare coating and are easy to install and remove, leaving no sticky residue.
Touchscreen users can now breathe a little easier with the S-View Anti-Bacterial screen protector. A specific anti-bacteria treatment is formed on the film surface and protects users from the infection and invasion of bacteria when they touch the LCD screen. A South Korean company S-View in conjunction with 14 Lights Ltd., is bringing the new generation of protectors to the U.K. and the Gulf states.
S-view and 14 Lights are offering screen protectors manufactured to precisely fit specific handsets, taking into account the size of the screen, orientation, and layout of features. These new generation protectors are higher quality, longer lasting and provide better all-round protection than traditional products, said company officials.
"If you share a device with someone, then you could be sharing germs, too. It's easy to spread bacteria and disease through whatever you touch," said Hassan Jawad, general manager of 14 Lights.
Further, it can leave grease and fingerprint smears. The protectors take care of the fingerprint smears that users have to wipe off several times a day. The new range of protectors feature an anti-fingerprint film with protrusions on the surface using precise nano-size Silica. This provides a uniform surface which is exceptionally smooth and slippery.
14Lights is representing S-view in the Middle East, and helping to market its exciting range of quality products. 14lights is based in the U.K., but operates throughout global marketplaces. The company makes specialist screen protectors for a huge range of devices, including smartphones, notebook, netbooks and tablets.
S-view specializes in using creative and innovative solutions to deliver high-quality films customized to meet the different and special needs of consumers.
Mini Swamy is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Tammy Wolf
