1. 6. CLASSROOM SUPPLIES
Pencils, crayons, books and papers
are often shared with other
classmates. With about 1,200 CFU of
bacteria per square inch found on
students’ hands, they can potentially
expose classmates and communal
supplies to bacteria and viruses.
nsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
7. PENCIL SHARPENERS
shared instrument, the pencil
sharpener, can be a breeding
ground for many germs.
Mechanical pencils or personal
pencil sharpeners are more
hygienic alternatives.
cbsnews.com/news/germs-in-the-school-room
8. BACKPACKS
Bookbags can become a magnet
for germs, since students often
place them on the floors of school
buses, classrooms, bathrooms and
parking lots.
9. COMPUTER KEYBOARDS
Many schools provide pupils with
computers in the classroom to
aid with learning. However, one
study found that shared keyboards
in classrooms were dirtier than
toilet seats.
nsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
10. PLAYGROUNDS
Recess may be a blast, but the
monkey bars and swings could
also be covered in E. coli and
streptococcus.
GERMIEST
PLACES IN YOUR
SCHOOL
THE
10
GENERAL SOURCES:
bestlifeonline.com/school-surfaces-germs
cbsnews.com/news/germs-in-the-school-room
nsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
parentology.com/super-gross-germs-on-school-desks
cleanlink.com/hs/article/Types-Of-Bacteria-Found-In-Restrooms--
21437#:~:text=A%20list%20of%2077%2C000%20bacteria,%2C%20
salmonella%2C%20shigella%20and%20norovirus.
wjhl.com/news/are-your-kids-backpacks-a-magnet-for-bacteria
globalnews.ca/news/4197771/are-germs-playground-daycare-dangerous
1. WATER FOUNTAIN SPIGOTS
Hundreds of children put their
mouths on or dangerously close
to the water fountain spigot
every day at school. Researchers
found that a water fountain spigot
contained an average of 2.7 million
colony-forming units of bacteria
per square inch.
2. BATHROOMS
Paper towel dispensers, door
handles, faucets and toilet seats
in restrooms are riddled with
bacteria. Strains of microbes
that are commonly found
in lavatories include E. coli,
streptococcus and salmonella.
cleanlink.com/hs/article/Types-Of-Bacteria-Found-In-
Restrooms--21437#:~:text=A%20list%20of%2077%2C000%20
3. CAFETERIAS
Lunchrooms are the gathering
place for many pupils. Encourage
students to use hand sanitizer
before chowing down, since a tray
can carry 33,800 CFU of bacteria
per square inch.
4. DESKS
Kids spend most of the day at their
desks, which means all coughs,
sneezes and hand contaminants
end up on the surface of their
workspace. Studies have shown
that the bacteria and fungi found
on desks come from skin, oral
cavities and fecal matter.
5. ANIMAL CAGES
Class pets teach children about
the responsibilities of caring for
another living being. According to
one study, animal cages contained
approximately 1,200 CFU of
bacteria per square inch.
spotlesscleaningchicago.com
Sources:
1. nsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
2. cleanlink.com/hs/article/Types-Of-Bacteria-Found-In
Restrooms--21437#:~:text=A%20list%20of%20
77%2C000%20bacteria,%2C%20salmonella%2C%20
shigella%20and%20norovirus.
3. nsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
4. parentology.com/super-gross-germs-on-school-desks
5. nsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
3.
4.
6.
7.
10.
9.
1.
2.
5.
8.
Sources:
6. nsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
7. cbsnews.com/news/germs-in-the-school-room
8. wjhl.com/news/are-your-kids-backpacks-a-magnet-for-bacteria
9. pnsf.org/knowledge-library/germiest-places-schools
10. globalnews.ca/news/4197771/are-germs-playground-
daycare-dangerous