Assessment of Microbial Contamination and Diversity on Used Facemasks Disposed Within Kabianga Shopping Centre

Abstract

Background and Aim: The origin of the novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its potential for harm increased face masks in the environment due to their daily disposal by a large number of populations. Thereby posing a health risks indirectly through the release of pathogens into the environment when the facemask is poorly disposed. The used facemasks have respiratory secretions on them and can be dispersed and transmitted through the air hence putting the health of the people around the dumpsites at risk of infection by the nasopharyngeal pathogens released from the disposed facemask to the environment. This study aims at assessing the microbial contamination and the diversity of microorganisms in a used, disposed facemask. Methods: The samples of used, disposed facemasks were obtained from the Kabianga market dumpsite. 20 samples were collected. The in-vitro analysis involved inoculation of a section of facemask mask from the internal and external surfaces in an enrichment media for isolation of bacteria and successive isolation by spread plate method on selective and non-selective media. Screening for Candida species was done by contact method on Candida agar. Group or genus of isolated bacteria and fungi were preliminarily identified by Gram’s stain and lactophenol cotton blue. Results: The predominant isolated bacteria contaminated on the inside of the used masks were mostly grampositive bacteria, such as Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Some gramnegative species, such as Acinetobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Shigella spp. Were found. The fungal isolates included strains of Candida species. Conclusion: The study proves that used face mask contains viable pathogenic microorganisms which are capable of causing a health risk when the pathogens are released into the environment.