The reestablishment of microbial communities after surface cleaning in schools

Abstract

Multiple students often share desks in schools. Results on the removal and reestablishment of microbial communities on these surfaces are critical for setting cleaning schedules and practices that effectively interrupt exposure to surface-associated pathogens and allergens.

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

“…This may be due to the fallibility of typical cleaning behaviors. Common surface cleaning techniques do not remove all microbial biomass from surfaces, where, after just a few days [173], microbial communities are found even in clean rooms or reagents that are considered to be sterile [28,[174][175][176]. Furthermore, the use of cleaning materials which are themselves contaminated with bacteria simply relocate bacteria between surfaces without removing them [177].…”

From one species to another: A review on the interaction between chemistry and microbiology in relation to cleaning in the built environment

“…38 However, a high relative humidity is required to achieve this in dust. 43,44 This dispersal is aided by various occupant activities, as well as by certain chemical species, such as ozone, which may deteriorate or kill microorganisms, as well as chemically react with VOCs to generate particulate matter that can carry microorganisms. However, a number of cleaning activities, for example mopping, involve adding water to an indoor environment, which may have a large amount of microbial biomass suspended in an inactive state.…”

“…42 And, while cleaning surfaces often removes microbial biomass, the microbial community can reestablish within a matter of days. 43,44 This dispersal is aided by various occupant activities, as well as by certain chemical species, such as ozone, which may deteriorate or kill microorganisms, as well as chemically react with VOCs to generate particulate matter that can carry microorganisms. 45 Relatively little work has been done to understand how whole communities of microorganisms-bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and the oxygen-tolerant archaea in dust react to chemicals from cleaning or consumer products or from building materials.…”

“…131 However, the physical abrasion employed by common cleaning methods does not completely remove all microorganisms. 43,71,132 While the act of cleaning and repetitive use of cleaning materials (eg, using the same rag to clean multiple surface) can spread unwanted organisms, 132 the goal of physical abrasion during cleaning is to reduce microbial biomass and organic material on a surface. When microbial cells accrue, the density of the community may trigger phenotypic changes to cause the formation of a biofilm, the strength of which is often determined by oxygen or nutrient content, community structure, and surface characteristics.…”

An evaluation of conventional cleaning and disinfection and electrostatic disinfectant spraying in K-12 schools

“…Schools are rife with numerous and various bacteria, viruses, and fungi [1,2]. Student desktops in K-12 schools are contaminated with bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus and viruses such as influenza and norovirus [1,2]. Many bacteria and fungi pathogens can live on desks for months and influenza, common cold, and noroviruses for days [3].…”