Author: Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D. Research Principal, GOJO Industries
It’s no surprise that as the weather improves, students and staff are spending more time outdoors taking advantage of playgrounds, outdoor seating, and sports fields. While the outdoors is a great place to play and learn, unfortunately, it can also be a major source of illness-causing germs.
It’s easy to think that germs won’t survive in outside conditions – with exposure to UV, rain, and extreme cold or hot temperatures – but that is not always the case. While temperature and humidity of the environment can determine how long germs live outside the body, some germs may live for several hours to days, depending on what it is and where it’s residing. Also, germs may live longer on some surfaces like stainless steel, metal, plastic, and other hard surfaces – compared to soft surfaces like fabric.
Where do “outdoor” germs come from?
Many germs that we are exposed to in outdoor environments come from contaminated surfaces or objects, called “fomites.” While playing on climbing frames and slides and using shared objects like water fountains, sports and athletic equipment, and even outdoor seating, students are exposed to the germs of others who have used these surfaces or items before them. In fact, a study published by the University of Arizona found that almost half of playground equipment was contaminated with bacteria.1 And, a study by Home Advisor found that the average playground had more than 1000x as many germs as a toilet seat!2 In some cases, these surfaces may even harbour potentially dangerous Staphylococcus bacteria, such as those commonly known as “MRSA,” which are resistant to antibiotics.3
Playground areas of nurseries and primary schools are not the only outdoor spaces with germs. Athletic equipment can be major reservoirs for germs, with shared equipment and close contact between student athletes. Frequently touched hard surfaces need to be cleaned and disinfected in a similar way to how they are maintained inside the facility.
What is the best hygiene approach to keep “outdoor” germs outside?
There are ways to help prevent outdoor germs from making their way into the building. Although often neglected, outdoor surface cleaning and disinfection does have a role to play, but not all surfaces can be easily disinfected.
With many germs spread by contaminated hands, one of the most efficient solutions is to promote hand hygiene, especially before re-entering indoor facilities. Since most educational facilities don't have outdoor restrooms or handwashing stations with soap and water, hand sanitiser may be a better option for rapid, “on-the-spot” germ removal. However, there are some unique factors to consider for the placement and use of sanitiser in outdoor areas. Here are a few tips to help ensure the hand sanitiser provided will be effective at keeping “outside” germs out of your facility:
- Choose an effective product. Make sure hand sanitiser contains at least 60% alcohol and avoid products that have been banned or recalled.4 It’s also important to make sure it’s properly labelled and avoid the use of “bulk” refillable dispensers due to the potential for contamination or alcohol evaporation.5
- Make sure it’s maintained properly. When purchasing products for your facility, choose the right size product and dispensing system for the number of users and the maintenance schedule of staff. Discard any product that looks like it’s been compromised or tampered with.
- Place hand sanitiser to promote its ease-of-use where it matters the most. Key placement areas include building entrances (indoors or outdoors), main entrances to playground areas and outdoor learning facilities, seating or picnic areas where food may be consumed, beside rubbish bins, and in the vicinity of sports fields.
- Post signs in highly visible locations to promote use. Students and staff may not use the sanitiser provided unless they are reminded of its importance. Consider promoting key moments and good practices for hand hygiene in outdoor spaces in the same way it’s promoted inside facilities.
- Consider “fixed” or stationary outdoor dispensers. A common concern is how to ensure a bottle of hand sanitiser doesn't "walk away." Attaching cables or using tape to try to secure bottles to surfaces is not terribly effective at preventing its disappearance. A better solution is to provide a locking hand sanitiser enclosure that is stationary and easy to maintain.
Finally, make sure the dispenser itself is weather-resistant – if it needs to be – based on its location and environmental conditions.
When buying hand sanitiser for your facilities – don’t forget your outdoor spaces. Outdoor hand sanitiser stations are an ideal solution to help students sanitise their hands before, during, and after using outdoor learning, dining, or play spaces.
- Reynolds KA, Watt PM, Boone SA, Gerba CP. Occurrence of bacteria and biochemical markers on public surfaces. Int J Environ Health Res. 2005 Jun;15(3):225-34.
- Home Advisor. https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/playground-germs/. Accessed April 7, 2022.
- Thapaliya D, Kadariya J, Capuano M, Rush H, Yee C, Oet M, Lohani S, Smith TC. Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus on Children's Playgrounds. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2019 Mar;38(3):e43-e47.
- The United States Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use#products. Accessed April 7, 2022.
- Manuel CS, Yeomans DJ, Williams JA, Fricker C, Kucera K, Light D, Arbogast JW. Presence of unsafe chemical impurities, accelerated evaporation of alcohol, and lack of key labeling requirements are risks and concerns for some alcohol-based hand sanitizers and dispenser practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One. 2022 Mar 18;17(3):e0265519.
