ABSTRACT

 Second hand clothes (SHC) are clothing items that have previously been used by one person earlier to the present user. This used clothes becomes potential transfer agents of microorganisms to the next user .. This studv was determined the microbial count, distribution of bacterial and fungal contamination of fairly used clothes sold in umuahia Metropolis. A total number of forty (40) samples of used were procured from local markets in Umuahia Metropolis. They were in triplicates and labelled accordingly. The samples were then placed in sterile polythene bags and brought to the Laboratory for microbiological analysis. Standard methods were used in the isolation and identification of microorganisms. The bacterial isolates were staphylococcus aureus, shigella specie, prnteus species. and Eschierichia coli. The Total bacterial count of sample I at different part of the clothes such as Collar. under arm, Sleeve joint. and Side joint ranged from 0.83 x I 0~ to 2.11 x 10° cfu/ml. Total bacterial count of sample 2 ranged from 0.46 x I 0 5 to 1.07 x Io' cfu/ml. Sample 3. 4 and 4 ranged from 0.77 x 10to 1.42x 10,0.55 x 10to L.11x 10,0.99x 10° to 2.21 x 10respectively. The fungal isolates include Aspergillus flavis, and Aspergillus niger and their fungal count ranged from 0.31 x Io• and 0.51 x 10° and 0.23 x I o'respcctively. These isolated pathogens arc incriminated in life threatening diseases. Though the use of detergents in re-washing the fairly used wears reduces the microbial load. but not totally