When you flush a public toilet, a larger amount of feces is ejected than expected.
Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder used a laser beam to see what happens when you flush a public toilet.
Just like there’s a big debate over which way the toilet paper roll goes, there’s a similar argument over flushing. “Is the lid open or closed?”
Scientists weigh the dire conclusions of each and find that neither is a solution to stopping the spread of dangerous bacteria.
Microbiologist Charles Garba and his team at the University of Arizona determined that there was little difference whether the lid was placed up or down. Closing the lid of a residential toilet does not prevent the spread of virus particles due to the strong hissing sound of a flush toilet.
In a study published Thursday in the American Journal of Infection Control, researchers concluded that when a person flushes a toilet, regardless of whether the lid is up or down, microscopic virus particles spread to the floor and surfaces of nearby toilets. I attached it. Studies have found that the only meaningful way to reduce the spread of viral pathogens such as norovirus is to disinfect toilets, toilet water, and nearby surfaces.
“A lot of people said that just closing the lid would solve the problem,” said Gerba, who has studied toilet germs for nearly half a century. “When you flush, all the air goes somewhere and carries the virus out of the toilet bowl.”
Previous studies have concluded that closed lids reduce the exposure of bacterial contamination to nearby surfaces, and researchers have investigated how lidless toilets can reduce bacteria-laden plumes in public restrooms. We have been trying to raise awareness about what we emit. But Gerba’s team studied whether the same was true for tiny virus particles found in residential toilets and found little difference.
Previous studies have linked aerosolized spray from toilet flushes to norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, airplanes and schools. On one cruise ship that experienced a severe outbreak, testing found half of the toilets had norovirus particles, Gerba said.
“You should always make sure to clean the toilet seat and other areas,” says Gerba.
How was the research conducted?
Gerba’s team studied public restrooms in office buildings and restrooms in residential buildings. Public toilets did not have tanks, were located in cubicles, and were flushed with pressurized water lines. The toilet at home was a small toilet with a tank.
The team included researchers from Reckitt Benckiser, a UK-based conglomerate that sells consumer products such as Lysol.
Study organizers added virus particles to the toilet, flushed the water, and after one minute measured contamination on the toilet and nearby toilet surfaces.
Because public toilets usually do not have lids, the researchers measured data on lid closure only from domestic toilets. The study found no difference in overall viral contamination whether the lid of a residential toilet was open or closed before flushing, but when the lid was closed, there was no difference in overall viral contamination. It is pointed out that the trajectory of the
When the lid was closed before flushing, the researchers determined that the left side and front of the toilet were slightly more contaminated, while the right side of the toilet was slightly less contaminated.
Toilet bowls cleaned using a brush and the disinfectant hydrochloric acid were less contaminated than toilet bowls cleaned with a brush alone. The study also found that cleaning the bowl with disinfectant also reduced contamination of nearby surfaces, such as the toilet floor and toilet brush holder.
According to the study, this result shows that “closing the toilet lid before flushing does not reduce the risk of contaminating toilet surfaces, and to reduce the spread of infection, closing the toilet lid before flushing or flushing the toilet brush This indicates that all toilet surfaces may need to be disinfected after use of germs.
In other words, you need to clean the toilet every time with disinfectant and a brush. Then wash your hands.
Hospitalized patients are more likely to be infected by bacteria in the toilet.
Other researchers have found that there is little doubt that particles can be forced out of the toilet bowl after flushing.
Matthew Nonnenman, a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s School of Public Health, believes there is value in keeping lids closed when they are available.
“This is a bit of a personal question, but have you ever sat on a toilet and flushed it?” Nonneman said. “You can feel the impact of the particles on your skin.”
Nonnenman’s team studied particles and bioaerosols generated when hospital toilets are flushed during routine patient care.his study It turns out that these contaminants can remain in the toilet for up to 30 minutes after flushing.
Healthy people with strong immune systems may be able to fight off such pathogens. However, immunocompromised patients in the hospital may be more susceptible to bacterial infections such as Clostridioides difficile, also known as C. diff.
Regular use of disinfectant and hand washing, as well as keeping lids closed, will help keep things sanitary.
“Closing the lid reduces some of the larger particles that come out of the toilet,” Nonneman says.
What steps can you take to reduce bacteria in your bathroom?
Although the UA-Reckitt Benckiser study does not recommend how often toilets should be cleaned, homeowners should regularly disinfect toilets and surfaces near them, Garba said.
She recommends keeping disinfectant near the toilet and disinfectant wipes to clean the toilet handle after use. Gerba said people should always wash their hands thoroughly and use hand sanitizer, especially if someone in their household has the virus.
If a member of your household has diarrhea, it is a sign that they may have been infected with norovirus or salmonella. Gerba recommends disinfecting toilet seats, sinks, and other frequently touched bathroom surfaces twice a day.
Of course, you can’t control how often public restrooms are cleaned, but you can still protect yourself by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer.
In addition to washing your hands regularly and cleaning your bathroom with disinfectant, Nonneman recommends putting away any toothbrushes or makeup you use on your face. You should also avoid handling your mobile phone while using the toilet.
Call the bathroom? Discussions have begun for a new generation.
Ken Alltucker can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @kalltucker or emailed at alltuck@usatoday.com..