Enjoying the free coffee at workplace? Study finds more germs in teabags than toilet seat

Most workplaces offer free coffee and tea for their employees, maybe, apparently to keep them 'active' during office hours and the staff are more than happy to sip a few cups with no second thoughts.

However, they aren't good for your health. A recent study revealed that the office teabags are unhygienic and they contain 17 times more germs than a toilet seat.

The study carried out by the Initial Washroom Hygiene came across these shocking results after analyzing the bacterial readings of kitchen utensils and appliances. The researchers found that the average bacterial reading of an office teabag was 3,785 in comparison to only 220 for a toilet seat.

When the bacterial readings of other kitchen equipment were analysed, they found that it was 2,483 on kettle handles, 1,746 on the rim of a used mug and 1,592 on a fridge door handle.

According to The Independent, after a poll of 1,000 workers, it was revealed that 80 percent of people working in an office wouldn't think it to be necessary to wash their hands before making drinks for colleagues.

Dr Peter Barratt of Initial Washroom Hygiene believes that office workers should be more aware of hygiene in their communal kitchens.

Dr Barratt says: "If you stop to think about the number of different hands that touch things such as the kettle handle, tea bag box lid, mugs, and so on, the potential for cross contamination really adds up," he explains.

He added: "Using anti-bacterial wipes on kitchen surfaces and regularly cleaning your mug can pay huge dividends in terms of maintaining a healthy workforce."

People should be cautious during this time of the year since the Norovirus, commonly known as the "winter vomiting bug", spreads rapidly by touching contaminated surfaces or eating foods that are rife with bacteria.

It's very important to be extra careful and take precautions such as washing hands frequently, disinfecting surfaces, washing clothes that could be at risk of contamination to protect yourself from falling ill this winter.