JEDDAH: ATM keyboards and touch screen at shopping malls could pose health hazards to the public as the are often left dirty without being cleaned by the staff of banks or shopping malls, experts and residents said. Microbiology.mtsinai.on.ca, a medical scientific website, said there are certain diseases transferred from the computer machines to people as a result of contact with keyboards, mouse and other electronic devices. The website of news network bbc.co.uk mentioned that work stations contain nearly 400 times as many microbes as lavatories. Dr. Jamal Al-Gharabali, a dermatologist, said any kind of surface contains germs and bacteria especially one which is used by many users. “ATM keyboards as well as computers at Internet coffee shops are considered the most dangerous places for transferring skin diseases,” he said. He recommends using medical hand gel that some people carry in their pockets order to clean hands before and after using such machines. “Unfortunately, people are not aware about the dangers of using dirty keyboards. I have seen some expatriate workers using them with hands full of dust and germs,” said Qassem Safhi, a Saudi resident. He said banks should help fix the problem by making deals with health supplement providers to install the hand gel next to any ATM machine in the city. At some places in Jeddah, the Saudi Gazette found some African children playing with ATM touch screen probably thinking that it was some kind of digital game.
