In a study published June 16 in the journal Physics of Fluids, researchers looked at whether or not the “turbulence” caused by flushing a toilet would be enough to propel aerosol particles—potentially carrying the virus—out of the bowl. The results were alarming: Nearly 60 percent of particles reached high above the toilet seat. And that could mean “large-scale virus spread.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes, “The virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in the feces of some patients diagnosed with COVID-19.” Whether or not transmission through feces is possible is still unknown, though the CDC believes the risk is low. Nevertheless, scientists have not ruled out the possibility—which could make flushing the toilet with the seat up a careless proposition. Researchers found that flushing “can create a cloud of virus-containing aerosol droplets that is large and widespread and lasts long enough that the droplets could be breathed in by others.” The study used 6,000 particles, of which almost 60 percent—close to 3,600—ended up in the air. Those particles could then be inhaled, but droplets could also land on surfaces, which might be touched by others. While this would certainly be an unusual way of contracting COVID-19, it’s not impossible. And the risk is higher for shared toilets, whether in a family home or in public restrooms. As study co-author Ji-Xiang Wang of Yangzhou University said in a statement, “One can foresee that the velocity will be even higher when a toilet is used frequently, such as in the case of a family toilet during a busy time or a public toilet serving a densely populated area.” That velocity would increase the spread of potentially infected droplets. If you’re worried—or simply grossed out—by the idea of a cloud of viral particles in your bathroom, the simplest solution is to lower the toilet seat before flushing. The study says that doing so “can basically prevent virus transmission.” The researchers also recommend cleaning the toilet seat before use in case viral particles have settled on it, as well as washing your hands thoroughly to get rid of any viral particles you may have picked up from the toilet handle. And for more ways to stay healthy, This Easy-to-Remember Trick Can Help Keep You Safe from Coronavirus.
