Children's playgrounds are teeming with germs and are as dirty as toilet seats.
Since outdoor playgrounds reopened at the end of last month, parents have been flocking to them to let their children play. However, these playground facilities could easily become breeding grounds for bacteria. Oriental Daily News reporters previously inspected playgrounds in several districts and collected samples from different playground equipment for expert testing. The results showed alarmingly high bacterial levels; some facilities had bacterial counts more than 390 times higher than household toilet seats, with E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus detected. Experts have stated that children's...hygiene awarenessLower blood pressure makes cross-infection of bacteria more likely. Doctors point out that these germs are mainly spread through unclean hands, and those who come into contact with them may suffer from gastroenteritis and wound infections, and in severe cases, even kidney failure.
A reporter recently conducted random visits to five outdoor children's playgrounds across Hong Kong, including Kwong Fuk Park in Tai Po, the Middle Road Children's Playground in Tsim Sha Tsui, Lai Chi Kok Park in Sham Shui Po, Fung Tak Park in Wong Tai Sin, and Quarry Bay Park in the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island. Two samples of play equipment (located in areas frequently touched by children's hands) were collected from each playground and submitted to experts for bacterial testing. The test results showed that all samples had high bacterial counts, and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were detected in all samples. The more frequently children touched the play equipment, the higher the bacterial count. The climbing frame at the Middle Road Children's Playground had the highest bacterial count, reaching 470,000 CFU/ml, more than 390 times higher than the bacterial count of a typical household toilet seat.
Dr. Liang Haowen, a research assistant at Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, stated that children's bodies are not yet fully developed, their immune systems are not yet mature, their antibacterial abilities are weaker, and coupled with their lower hygiene awareness, they are more susceptible to infection.Bacterial infectionIn addition, the oil secreted by children's hands can enhance the adhesion of bacteria, which can lead to cross-infection when other children come into contact with them.
Family physician Lin Yonghe pointed out that Staphylococcus aureus can cause gastrointestinal discomfort after entering the human body through mucous membranes. If there are wounds or eczema on the skin, it can also cause skin diseases such as redness, swelling, inflammation, and pustules. Once infected with E. coli, it can cause gastroenteritis, and in severe cases, complications such as hemorrhagic diarrhea or kidney failure may occur. He recommends that children wear masks while playing, clean their hands immediately after playing, and change into clean clothes; children who are unwell or have skin problems should not go to playgrounds.
Legislative Councillor Chan Han-pan urged the authorities to strengthen the cleaning of children's play facilities and suggested that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spray antibacterial coatings on children's play facilities, while also strengthening publicity and education to raise public awareness of epidemic prevention.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) responded that it had arranged for a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the children's play facilities before reopening them; after the facilities reopen, the department will also arrange for cleaning staff to regularly clean the facilities based on visitor flow and usage.Cleaning and disinfectionOn-site staff have also increased patrols.
