The survival of herpes simplex virus type 1 in tissue culture fluid on doorknobs and washbasin tap handles over a 2 h period was investigated. The doorknobs were made of plastic and the taps had a chrome-plated surface. The stock virus suspension had a titre of 10(7.5) TCID50/0.1 ml, and a 0.01 ml droplet was placed on the objects. The droplets dried out after 35-40 min at room temperature (23-27 degrees C). The titre of infectious virus recovered by elution from the objects was determined at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. Infectious virus was recovered for all time periods studied. However, there was a marked drop in titre between 30 and 60 min. No differences were observed between virus placed on plastic and that on chrome-plate. Infectious virus could be isolated from skin after touching virus-contaminated doorknobs and taps with the middle finger of the right hand at all test times over a 2 h period.