survey of microbial pollutant types on elevator buttons in schools of isfahan university of medical sciences, iran

background: microorganisms on various surfaces in industrial and residential environments can spread infectious diseases. their control is thus a major concern. the aim of this study was to survey the bacterial contamination of elevator buttons in schools of isfahan university of medical sciences, isfahan, iran in the summer of 2011. methods: this study was done as a cross sectional research. after sampling, tryptic soy broth (tsb), eosin methylene blue (emb), and blood agar were used as culture media. additional tests were performed in the next stage. findings: enterobacter, hafnia, serratia, and staphylococcus were detected. elevators in the school of dentistry were 100% contaminated to these bacteria. it might have been a result of human activities in this environments and solid waste production. in addition, about 60% of samples taken from the schools of medicine and management were contaminated to these bacteria. contaminations in other schools were estimated to be 30%. conclusions: this study showed bacterial diversity and contamination to be more in schools having chemical and microbiological pilot plant laboratories, especially biological laboratories. among these, the presence of gram-negative bacteria was more likely than others. gram-positive bacteria could be skin flora. contamination and microbial diversity existed on elevator buttons. not paying enough attention to environmental sanitation and personal hygiene would thus increase pollution in these places. therefore, public education and increasing the knowledge of people are necessary.