Microbiologist Charles Gerba reports that in most work environments, offices and cubicles have higher bacteria levels than surfaces in common areas. East Coast offices win the germiest title.

"The dirtiest offices are on the East Coast since people are in larger buildings and tend to bring food to their desks more often," Gerba says. "East Coasters also tend to spend more time indoors due to the bad weather."

New York is Germ City, with Chicago coming in a close second.

The cleanest offices can be found in San Francisco and Tucson, Arizona.

Accountants ranked second to teachers as dirtiest occupations, followed by bankers, radio disc jockeys and doctors.

Consultants, publicists and lawyers harbored the least amount of bacteria per square inch in their offices.

On average, women’s offices had the germiest telephones, computer keyboards, computer mice and pens, while men’s offices had the most bacteria-ridden desks.

So how can you protect your office from becoming a comfortable spot for bacteria to grow? Gerba suggests these simple steps:

Wipe down your desk and surrounding items with a disinfecting wipe once a week.

Keep a hand sanitizer at your desk and use it throughout the day.

Don't eat at your desk regularly, it invites bacteria to grow at your fingertips.

Wash coffee mugs and glasses on a regularly.

If you’re sick, don’t go to work.

I wonder whether mobile PCs have more or fewer bacteria than tethered PCs.

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