Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Microorganism transmission through direct or indirect contact, such as in public restrooms, is a significant concern in public health due to the potential for spreading infectious diseases. Faucet surfaces further increase the potential for cross-contamination, as they can harbor a considerable microbial load. In this context, this work randomly investigated the presence of bacteria on 150 different faucet surfaces of freely accessible public bathrooms in the central region of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, between August 2023 and February 2024. Results revealed that 100% of the faucets had manual operation. Additionally, more than one-third of the faucets in restrooms of Bars, Schools, Stores, Squares, Public Offices, Restaurants, and Bus Terminals were contaminated by bacteria with pathogenic potential, like coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp, Enterobacter sp, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp, Serratia sp, and Shigella sp. These findings shed light on the contamination chain, the urgency of sanitary measures by authorities, and the need for faucet automation.