Antimicrobial keyboard offers three-in-one benefits

Seal Shield LLC, in Jacksonville, Florida, has begun shipping a new family of fully submersible, keyboards with antimicrobial protection to help reduce the risk of worldwide cross contaminations, including Norovirus and the ‘superbug,’ MRSA.

According to the company, the Silver Seal International Keyboard is the world's first 108 key, multi-language keyboard to be dishwasher safe and embedded with Silver Seal Antimicrobial protection. The Silver Seal International Keyboard is currently available in English, Spanish, French, German, Swiss, Chinese, Hebrew and Arabic. The new keyboard is a 108 key version of the company's best selling, Silver Seal Medical Grade Keyboard (Patent Pending), which was introduced in the US earlier this year.

Independent studies have shown that computer keyboards are a primary cross contamination risk for hospitals worldwide. According to University of Arizona scientist, Dr Charles Gerba, the keyboard has some 10 million germs – about 400 times more than the average toilet seat.

A recent study at the University of Washington found high levels of faecal coliform, the bacteria found in faecal matter, on keyboards at campus computer areas.

Tom Mullaney, Seal Shield vice president of International Development, said: “The Silver Seal International Keyboards provide world wide healthcare organisations with the same Silver Seal infection control technology currently used in hospitals across the US."

Unlike many antibacterial products, Silver Seal antimicrobial devices use all natural, pure silver ions, which are embedded in the plastic to create a safe and effective, inorganic, antimicrobial solution. Silver is a natural antibacterial product and its properties have been incorporated into the Silver Seal International Keyboards using state of the art, nanotechnology.

The product is distributed in the UK by The Keyboard Company, in Germany by Megabyte Systemhaus and in the USA by Dell, CDW, Corporate Express and Insight.