PROPER SELECTION OF FLOOR MATERIALS IN HOSPITALS

Friction of engineering materials generates electrostatic charges (ESC) that have a negative effect on the environment. The increased use of polymeric materials raised the importance of studying that effect. ESC building up on human skin and or clothes in direct contact with human body are very harmful and can create serious health problems. The present study investigates the ESC generated from the dry and water wet sliding of shoes on floor for people who are working in hospitals. The present work revealed that epoxy and PVC tiles displayed the highest friction coefficient values. Besides, they gained the lowest ESC values. PVC gained lower ESC than epoxy. At sliding, ESC generated on the surface of, Fig. 5, ESC showed much higher values than that measured for contact/separation. While contact/separation of water wet epoxy increased ESC compared to dry contact. Sliding of shoe cover against dry epoxy recorded higher ESC values than PVC. It is recommended to apply epoxy floor than PVC to guarantee that the floor gains positive charge to attract the viruses.