Dirty smartphones present health risk

How often do you clean your cell phone? Chris Pfeifer of Salisbury says, “Not very often. I don’t know, maybe every couple of weeks if I drop it or something like that.”

Where do you take your cell phone? Patrick Butler of Salisbury says, “Everywhere I go; bathroom, kitchen, bed, everywhere I could think of it’s probably in my hand.”

According to a study published in the Wall Street Journal, cell phones can contain just as many germs as a public restroom toilet.  The heat radiated from phones can create a bacteria loving warmth. Mind you, this is a device you put on your face.

Dr. Victor Gong says, “Well obviously you can contaminate your own body with these germs. They did study and they found microbes coliform bacterium similar to the one you find in a toilet seat.”

Doctors say a dirty phone can get you sick resulting in conditions like pink eye, diarrhea, and the flu. They say the best thing to do clean it.

Dr. Victor Gong says, “The best is alcohol, the least effective is water. You can make a combination of fifty/fifty solution of water and alcohol that’s a possibility.” 

However like anything, cleaning your phone should be done in moderation so that you don’t damage the coating. Some products can be too harsh for the glass, which is why health experts say getting a case may not be such a bad idea.