Evaluation of 6 Methods for Aerobic Bacterial Sanitization of Smartphones

• Published in: Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 24 - 29
• Main Authors: Lieberman, Mia T, Madden, Carolyn M, Ma, Eric J, Fox, James G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Animals; Bacteria - drug effects; Disinfectants - chemistry; Disinfectants - pharmacology; Fomites - microbiology; Humans; Management; Smartphone
• ISSN: 1559-6109; 2769-6677

Smartphones are ubiquitous devices that offer a variety of useful applications for human and veterinary medical professionals and the biomedical research community. Smartphones can serve as fomites and potentially transmit pathogens, including bacterial species such as methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus. The goal of this study was to evaluate 6 methods to decrease aerobic bacterial colonies on smartphones, including two 254-nm UVC devices, 70% ethanol spray, quaternary ammonium disinfectant spray, sodium hypochlorite-impregnated wipes, and delicate-task wipes.
All methods were individually effective at decreasing aerobic bacterial counts after sanitization. In addition, 254-nm UVC devices providing a dose of 60 mJ/cm2, with UVC bulbs exposing both sides of the smartphone, were an effective nonliquid method for smartphone sanitization.