Abstract:
Objective To explore the current sanitation status of public places in Hefei, and provide a reliable scientific basis for the supervision of public place hygiene.
Methods Based on the requirements of the health risk factor monitoring plan for public places in Hefei from 2019 to 2024 and refer to relevant standards such as the Examination Methods for Public Places (GB/T 18204-2013), an investigative monitoring was conducted on the health risk factors in seven types of public places in Hefei. Samples of indoor air, public articles, and water environment were collected and tested for indicators such as fine particulate matter, inhalable particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total bacterial count, pH value, coliform group, and Legionella pneumophila.
Results From 2019 to 2024, a total of 258 public places in Hefei were monitored, with 30 583 sanitation samples tested, of which 28 582 were qualified, resulting in an overall qualified rate of 93.5%. Seven types of public places showed significant differences in qualified rates (χ2=474.95, P < 0.05). The qualified rates for indoor air, public articles, and water environment samples were 93.4%, 94.1%, and 74.8%, respectively, showing significant differences (P < 0.05). For indoor air monitoring, the lower qualified rates were observed for noise in bathhouses (14.4%) and swimming pools (15.2%). For public articles monitoring, lower qualified rates were observed for pH values of towels in bathhouses (50.0%), with total bacterial counts and fungal counts of 66.7% and 64.9%, respectively, in slippers of bathhouses; and a total bacterial count of 66.7% on shopping mall (supermarket) cashier's desk. For water environment monitoring, the lowest qualified rate was observed for the redox potential in swimming pool water (24.2%).
Conclusion The overall hygiene status of public places in Hefei from 2019 to 2024 was generally good, with relatively low qualified rates for some monitored indicators. It is necessary that site operators enhance their awareness of hygiene management much further and health supervision departments intensify sanitary supervision of such places.