Sir,The frequent dermatophyte infections of swimmer's feet are most likely related to increased exposure to dermatophytes and maceration of skin (1). Fungal particles are shed from infected tissues and found on the floors of shared bathing facilities (2)(3)(4)(5). Two studies have revealed a higher level of contamination in men's dressing rooms than in women's (2, 4), and a higher rate of tinea pedis in boys than girls has been reported (6).In a pilot study of dermatophyte contamination in a swimming pool facility in Reykjavik informal interviews with the swimming pool personnel indicated that the women's area was cleaned more frequently and extensively than the men's area.The aim of the present study was to confirm the differences observed in dermatophyte contamination between the respective dressing rooms and explore whether they were affected by standardization of cleaning methods. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study was conducted in an outdoor swimming pool facility in Reykjavik that receives 500,000-600,000 swimmers annually. The facility is open from 6:50 am to 9:30 pm on weekdays. Swimmers are divided into three age categories: i) <16 years; ii) 16-66 years and iii) >66 years. The indoor facilities examined comprised men's and women's dressing rooms that lead to shower rooms where every swimmer bathes before entering the pool. Men's and women's shower rooms lead to a common corridor, then to the poolside.The study period included all weekdays throughout a 4-week period in March 1999. Samples were taken twice daily, between 10 and 11 am and 4 and 5 pm. Three floor sites were sampled each time, two in men's and women's dressing rooms areas next to the shower rooms, and one in a common corridor leading from shower rooms to poolside. The floors in dressing rooms and shower rooms are tiled, and the corridor floor is covered with a net-like plastic carpet. Weekly samples from seven sites in dressing rooms, shower rooms and corridor were taken before opening hours.Dressing rooms and shower rooms were cleaned thoroughly every night by the use of automated machines (dressing rooms) and with water jets and scrubbing (shower rooms). Chlorinated detergents were used in both areas. During opening hours cleaning was carried out by the shower guards, female in the women's area and male in men's area. The shower rooms were flushed with cold water and the dressing rooms were swept with dry, furry cotton mops that were changed daily. Plastic carpets in the corridor were flushed each night; the cleaning procedure and frequency were kept constant during the study. During the first 2 weeks of the study (period 1), the shower guards maintained their usual cleaning methods. The shower rooms were flushed with cold water every 1-3 hours and in the dressing rooms the floor next to the shower rooms was mopped several times a day in order to keep it dry and non-slippery. The rest of the dressing rooms was mopped 2-4 times a day on the women's side and at least once a day on the men's side. Female personnel claimed that cleaning in the wom...
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