Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Research on Bacterial Contamination Levels in Apartment Tower Elevators

주거용 아파트 엘리베이터의 미생물 오염도와 영향요인 조사

  • Shim, Won-Bo (School of Physics and Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Seo, Ju-Hee (Air Quality Research Center, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Lee, Chae-Won (Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Jeong, Myeong-Jin (Department of Food and Drug, Graduate of Food and Drug, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Kim, Jeong-Sook (Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Kim, Hyoung-Kab (Department of Environmental Engineering, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Chung, Duck-Hwa (Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University)
  • 심원보 (광주과학기술원 물리화학부) ;
  • 서주희 (경남과학기술대학교 공기질센터) ;
  • 이채원 (경상대학교 농업생명과학연구원) ;
  • 정명진 (경상대학교 식의약품학과) ;
  • 김정숙 (경상대학교 농업생명과학연구원) ;
  • 김형갑 (경남과학기술대학교 환경공학과) ;
  • 정덕화 (경상대학교 농업생명과학연구원)
  • Received : 2013.10.16
  • Accepted : 2013.10.30
  • Published : 2013.10.31
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Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial contamination levels in elevators in apartment buildings and to provide information on such microbial contamination. Methods: A total of 144 samples, including from the exterior buttons, interior buttons, elevator handrails, walls, ventilators and airborne bacteria were collected in the morning and afternoon from July to August 2013 for six different elevators. The samples were used to detect sanitary indicator bacteria (total bacteria, coliform, and Escherichia coli), pathogenic bacteria (E. coli O157, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., B. cereus, S. aureus) and fungi. Results: Contamination levels of total bacteria were 0.3-3.8 and 0.0-2.4 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ in the morning and afternoon, respectively. In the case of coliform bacteria, the levels were 0.0-3.7 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ in the morning and 0.0-0.3 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ in the afternoon. However, E. coli was not detected among all samples. Bacillus cereus, pathogenic bacteria, was only detected in 13 (11%) among 144 samples. E. coli O157, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and S. aureus were not detected among all samples. Comparing the samples collected in the morning and afternoon, we could confirm that the samples in the afternoon were cleaner. Conclusions: This study indicates that the samples in the afternoon were cleaner because these samples were collected following routine cleaning. Also, the levels of contamination in the elevators were low and the sanitary conditions were comparatively well-managed. Therefore it is deemed necessary for elevators be cleaned regularly to provide good conditions for people using elevators.

Keywords

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