Pathogenic microorganisms in university offices-detection and designing a sustainable organic treatment

Abstract

People in developed countries spend approximately 90% of their lives indoors, yet little is known about the source and diversity of microbes in built environments and pathogens are spreading everywhere especially in the offices. This research study aimed to identify the pathogenicity in Abu Dhabi University (ADU), Abu Dhabi campus, in addition to come up with an active organic treatment. The paper includes a review of some similar work done on the same issue, and it explains the methods of data and information collection. Sampling was conducted in ADU offices. Samples from keyboards, computer mouse, desks, and door handles were examined in order to identify the availability of pathogens. Based on the obtained results, a safe organic treatment was designed and tested as an alternative of the synthetic detergents used to clean offices. The proposed organic treatment had the capability to kill all pathogens in the tested samples including Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The final proposed treatment is new, safe and 99.99% active.