In fact, one Australian study reported a hand washing compliance rate of only 9 percent.

In November 1990, the compliance rate reached 92 percent.

For residents born in 1984, the compliance rate was 87 percent.

Ms. Murphy says that in the last two weeks the compliance rate has improved about 5 percent.

But in other states, compliance rates are either far lower or unknown.

Among service companies, the compliance rate is even worse.

Idaho, with a $5 fine, has a compliance rate of 59 percent.

"The compliance rate was poor, I think less than half."

This pales in comparison with the national compliance rate of 68 percent.

According to the National Center, the court's compliance rate of 75 percent for community service was the highest in the city.