Contamination of payphones in Franca, São Paulo, Brazil

Authors

  • CARLOS HENRIQUE GOMES MARTINS
  • LAUANDA HELEN DE ASSIS
  • PABLO MAGELA BEIRIGO DE ANDRADE
  • WILSON LUIZ DE OLIVEIRA
  • LUCIANA ASSIRATI CASEMIRO

Abstract

SUMMARY Objective: This study evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively the contamination in payphones located at six places of intensive public traffic in the city of Franca, SP, Brazil. Material and Methods: Samples were taken from 51 payphones and processed for counting and identification of bacteria and fungi. Results: Five bacterial strains were isolated in all phones, 91.2% of them with a contamination level above 2.0 CFU/cm2. Eighteen fungi strains were isolated in 62.75% of the phones, also with counting above the reference level (2.0 CFU/cm2). The places with the highest contamination levels were the hospitals, bus stations and shopping malls. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the payphones evaluated in this study are contaminated with potentially pathogenic microorganisms and their users are prone to be infected by these pathogens. Periodic disinfection of pay phones is advisable. DESCRIPTORS Telephone. Microbiology. Equipment contamination.

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Published

2010-04-05

How to Cite

MARTINS, C. H. G., DE ASSIS, L. H., DE ANDRADE, P. M. B., DE OLIVEIRA, W. L., & CASEMIRO, L. A. (2010). Contamination of payphones in Franca, São Paulo, Brazil. Revista Brasileira De Ciências Da Saúde, 12(2), 127–136. Retrieved from https://periodicos.ufpb.br/ojs/index.php/rbcs/article/view/4374

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2008)

Section

Research

License

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