Author(s)

Omar Bashir Ahmed

Department of Environmental and Health Research, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA.

The infection control in surfaces of public toilets environment is a matter of great concern and a major challenge, especially during mass gatherings. The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of titanium dioxide nanoparticles coating on environmental surfaces of public toilets during Hajj time. A pilot study has been designed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the surfaces of public toilets. The results showed a significant reduction in colony-count of the test samples. Maximum average reduction count of test microbes of the seats and walls reached (99.7%) while that of the doors reached (99.1%) which was statistically significant (P value = 0.001). It was concluded that there was a marked effect of a mixed TiO2 coating on reducing the microbial count at the surfaces of public toilets environments. Further research on efficacy against specific organisms, intestinal parasites, fungi, viruses and bacteriophage is recommended.

Titanium Dioxide, Public Toilets, Colony Count, Nanoparticles

Ahmed, O. (2018) Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on the Surfaces of Public Toilets. Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 8, 32-38. doi: 10.4236/gsc.2018.81003.