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עמוד בית
Sun, 08.12.24

Original Articles

IMAJ | volume 16

Journal 7, July 2014
pages: 431-433

“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants”*: The Efficacy of Sun Exposure for Reducing Fungal Contamination in Used Clothes

    Summary

    Background:

    Tinea pedis is a common chronic skin disease; the role of contaminated clothes as a possible source of infection or re-infection has not been fully understood. The ability of ultraviolet light to inactivate microorganisms has long been known and UV is used in many applications.

    Objectives:

    To evaluate the effectivity of sun exposure in reducing fungal contamination in used clothes.

    Methods:

    Fifty-two contaminated socks proven by fungal culture from patients with tinea pedis were studied. The samples were divided into two groups: group A underwent sun exposure for 3 consecutive days, while group B remained indoors. At the end of each day fungal cultures of the samples were performed.

    Results:

    Overall, there was an increase in the percentage of negative cultures with time. The change was significantly higher in socks that were left in the sun (chi-square for linear trend = 37.449, P < 0.0001).

    * Louis Brandeis, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1913

    Conclusions:

    Sun exposure of contaminated clothes was effective in lowering the contamination rate. This finding enhances the current trends of energy saving and environmental protection, which recommend low temperature laundry.

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