Toilet Aerosol
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (157742)
United States
December 23, 2022 6:56am CST
You are probably aware and scientists have been aware for about 60 years that when you flush a toilet microscopic droplets are shot out of an uncovered toilet. With the use of lasers in a recent study, it is shown just how far these particles are propelled (see pictures).
This bothers me but not as much as when I thought about flushing a PUBLIC toilet. That is just gross.
These particles can spread bacteria and viruses into the air. They travel at 6.6 feet per second to a height of 4.9 feet above the toilet in 8 seconds. The smaller particles can remain in the air for minutes or longer.
At home, close the lid before you flush. Public toilets are a different matter. There is hope that building designers, now aware of the problem, will add lids to public toilets.
Photo Credit: Bing
10 people like this
10 responses
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
23 Dec 22
Most of our public toilets don't have lids. I hate public restrooms anyway; but now I hate them more!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@porwest That surprises me too. I am very fastidious and have held it for hours when I ran into restrooms that were gross.
2 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Public toilets can sometimes be the thing nightmares are made out of. The interesting thing is that I have always heard that women's restrooms are often much dirtier than men's rooms. There are lot of reasons cited for that. But if ofren surprises me.
2 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
23 Dec 22
At the same time life expectancy only continues to increase, so I am sure it is not a major health issue. lol
Beyond that, if you close the lid, wouldn't that make the lid an even more concentrated cesspool of filth as it will take the brunt of the explosion of particles? At least if the lid is open you spread it out a bit. 
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
24 Dec 22
@porwest Many people wear gloves when they clean. I think I would just avoid the public restrooms. I hate them anyway.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
23 Dec 22
Either way it's gross. The lid can be cleaned.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
23 Dec 22
@LindaOHio But you have to touch the lid to not only lift it to go, but to clean it. If there's more filth there than anywhere else, I am not sure what gets accomplished, unless you wear gloves to the bathroom. 
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130233)
• India
23 Dec 22
The lids will catch it too!!! And how long will it stay there - anyone knows?
2 people like this
@allknowing (130233)
• India
24 Dec 22
@LindaOHio But who will do that. If one finishes and the next one uses it immediately?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
25 Dec 22
@allknowing It should be done every so often.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
24 Dec 22
The lid must be cleaned as well. Preferably while wearing gloves.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49167)
• United States
23 Dec 22
I saw this on 60 minutes or something like it years ago. It is yucky to think about.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49167)
• United States
24 Dec 22
@LindaOHio I do my best to avoid them.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
24 Dec 22
I hate public restrooms anyway. I may never use one again!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73861)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Dec 22
I always flush after I have closed the lid.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85719)
• Bangalore, India
23 Dec 22
Oh! I feel gross looking at the picture. We can follow that at home as very few members are there. But that would be tough for public toilets. So many use them. One would need something like an awareness campaign.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85719)
• Bangalore, India
24 Dec 22
@LindaOHio So do I. I just avoid it as much as I can.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95959)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Dec 22
It closed so Jill doberman cant play in it.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12641)
• Ireland
23 Dec 22
@LindaOHio The thought of touching the lid of a public toilet is not a cheery one. I’ll just hold on till I get home thanks.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Dec 22
I leave this a while back. It's so nasty
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157742)
• United States
23 Dec 22
I hate using public restrooms anyway!
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15780)
• Raurkela, India
23 Dec 22
I don't often use public toilets but I keep my toilet lid open in my bathroom and always keep the door closed.
1 person likes this
