Microbiology of public telephones.
OBJECTIVE
There is an increasing interest in antibacterial products intended for applications, such as in carpets, hand lotions, wallpaper adhesives, gloves and fabrics used in the home and hospital environments. A range of materials impregnated with various types of antimicrobial agents, such as triclosan and silver-zeolite additive is also being evaluated for use in plastics, air filters, toys, tooth-brushes, pagers and telephones. However, there is not enough microbiological data to suggest the need for sterilization of telephones and similar hand-contact objects.


METHODS
Bacteriological sampling of 50 public telephones was performed from May to November.


RESULTS
Twelve different types of bacteria were found on the surface of telephones. The level of bacterial contamination for the telephone mouthpiece was increased to its highest point in October from its lowest value in August. It was also found that the microbial contamination of mouthpiece was about twice the contamination of earpiece.


CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that public telephones are contaminated with various types of microorganisms and the level of contamination changes significantly with time.
Tunç
Kenan
K
Sakarya University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Mithatpaşa, Sakarya 54100, Turkey.
Olgun
Uğursoy
U
D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D050456:Fomites / Q000382:microbiology*; D006920:Hygiene; D011634:Public Health; D012621:Seasons; D013689:Telephone; D014421:Turkey