Bacterial Contamination of Public Park Benches During Winter in Tripoli, Libya: A Comparison Between Shaded and Sun-Exposed Surfaces
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65405/3krhzf48Keywords:
Public park benches; Bacterial contamination; Environmental surfaces; Sunlight exposure; Public healthAbstract
Public park benches are frequently used public surfaces that may harbor microorganisms originating from human contact and environmental sources. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the winter of 2026 in public parks located in the Al Dahra and Zawiat Al Dahmani districts of central Tripoli, Libya, to compare bacterial contamination between shaded and sun-exposed park bench surfaces. Samples were collected during January 2026. A total of 50 surface swab samples were collected from 25 benches located in five public parks. Samples were cultured on Nutrient Agar, Mannitol Salt Agar, and MacConkey Agar, and bacterial isolates were characterized using conventional culture methods, Gram staining, and basic biochemical tests. Bacterial growth was detected in 84% of shaded surface samples compared with 64% of sun-exposed surface samples. Overall, bacterial growth was recovered from at least one sampled surface on 92% of the benches examined. Semi-quantitative assessment indicated greater contamination levels on shaded surfaces. Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. were the predominant bacterial groups recovered, while Gram-positive bacteria accounted for most isolates. Although the difference in culture positivity between shaded and sun-exposed surfaces was not statistically significant (p = 0.196), shaded surfaces consistently showed higher contamination levels. The findings suggest that environmental conditions, particularly sunlight exposure, may influence bacterial persistence on outdoor public surfaces.
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