Playground May Have As Much Germ As a Toilet Seat
After outdoor children's playgrounds reopened at the end of last month, parents have been taking their children to the playgrounds to release their energy. However, these playgrounds can become hotbeds for the spread of bacteria at any time. Oriental Daily reporters recently inspected children's playgrounds in many districts and took samples of different playground facilities for expert testing. The results found alarming bacterial levels. The bacteria content in some facilities was more than 390 times higher than that of household toilet seats. E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also detected. Some experts said that children'sHygiene awarenessDoctors point out that these germs are mainly transmitted through unclean hands, and those who come into contact with them may suffer from gastroenteritis and wound infection, and in severe cases, even kidney failure.
Reporters recently randomly visited five outdoor children's playgrounds across Hong Kong: Kwong Fuk Park in Tai Po, Middle Road Children's Playground in Tsim Sha Tsui, Lai Chi Kok Park in Sham Shui Po, Fung Tak Garden in Wong Tai Sin, and Quarry Bay Park in Hong Kong Island's Eastern District. Samples of two playground equipment (located where hands are likely to touch) were collected from each playground and submitted to experts for bacterial testing. The test results showed that all samples contained high levels of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The more frequently children touched a playground equipment, the higher the bacterial count. The climbing frame at the Middle Road Children's Playground had the highest bacterial count, reaching 5 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml), over 47 times higher than the bacterial count on a typical household toilet seat.
Dr. Liang Haowen, a research assistant at the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, said that children’s physical development is not yet mature, their immune systems are not perfect, their antibacterial ability is weak, and their hygiene awareness is low, so they are more likely toBacterial infectionIn addition, the oil secretion from children's hands will enhance the adhesion of bacteria, and cross-infection may occur when other children come into contact with them.
Family doctor Lin Yonghe pointed out that Staphylococcus aureus can cause gastrointestinal discomfort after entering the body through mucous membranes. If there are wounds or eczema on the skin, it can also cause skin problems such as redness, swelling, inflammation, and abscesses. Escherichia coli infection can also cause gastroenteritis, and severe cases can develop complications such as bloody diarrhea or kidney failure. He recommends that children wear masks when playing, wash their hands immediately after play, and change into clean clothes. Children who are unwell or have skin problems should avoid playgrounds.
Legislative Council member Chan Heng-bin urged the authorities to strengthen the cleaning of children's play facilities and suggested that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spray antibacterial coating on children's play facilities, while strengthening publicity and education to enhance the public's awareness of epidemic prevention.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department responded that before reopening the children's play facilities, they had arranged for thorough cleaning and disinfection of the facilities; after the facilities were reopened, the department would also arrange cleaning staff to regularly clean the facilities according to the flow of people and usage.Clean and disinfect, venue staff have also stepped up patrols.
