Phones Host 11,000 Microbes: Study Warns of Health Risk

There are 8.2 billion people in the world, and over two-thirds use mobile phones, and over half are known to use them in the bathroom and with soiled hands.

- DR P.S. VENKATESH RAO

Recent research has highlighted that mobile phones have an abundance of a broad spectrum of microbes. A scientific study published in Nature Journal identified a diversity of antibiotic-resistant and virulent microbes (5714 bacteria, 675 fungi, 93 protists, 228 viruses, and 4453 bacteriophages, a total of 11,163 organisms) present on 26 mobile phones owned by hospital medical staff. Half of these mobile phones had been used in the bathroom. Mobile phones that are not decontaminated may pose serious risks to public health and biosecurity.

Eye Strain and Sleep Disruption: Staring at a small screen for long periods strains the eyes causing blurred vision, dry eyes, headache, and neck or shoulder pain. This is called computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain as prolonged exposure to blue light from laptop or computer screens also causes these symptoms. We usually blink about 20 times every minute, but when focusing on a screen we blink infrequently, altering our body's biological clock and disrupting sleep. To reduce eye strain, hold the screen as far as possible, lower screen brightness, reduce glare from your screen from reflected surrounding light, blink often to keep your eyes moist, and take regular breaks. Use specialized tinted glasses to reduce glare and blue light.