As investigations into the ways in which the coronavirus spreads continue, new research suggests once again that bathrooms, and particularly toilets, represent a potential vector for infection.
Recently published research in the academic journal Physics of Fluids finds that toilet flushing produces a "massive upward transport of virus particles" with "40%–60% of particles reaching above the toilet seat, leading to large-scale virus spread." The report continues, "Fecal–oral transmission is a common transmission route for many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Blocking the path of fecal–oral transmission, which occurs commonly in toilet usage, is of fundamental importance in suppressing the spread of viruses."
For the study, researchers used computer modeling, including AutoCAD, to investigate how far and wide aerosolized virus particles can spread, finding that "no matter what kind of flushing is used, airflow vortices will appear in the bowl during flushing, and the centrifugal forces generated by these will give rise to a high airflow speed."
"The resulting turbulence," the report states, "will disturb the magnitude and direction of the velocity in the air zone above the toilet area. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the high-speed airflow will expel aerosol particles from the bowl to regions high in the air above the toilet, allowing viruses to spread indoors causing risks to human health."
The report indicates that these particles may rise up to three feet above the toilet seat and can potentially spread to adjacent stalls in public restroom facilities.
The report offers suggestions for mitigating this spread, namely, lowering the toilet lid before flushing and washing one's hands thoroughly before and after use.
But the growing body of research surrounding the virus-spreading nature of bathrooms, and particularly, of shared bathroom facilities, raises the question of whether the toilet, the bathroom, and indoor plumbing in general, are due for a full-scale redesign.
8 Comments
but...but we'nt we doing just fine before this COV19 apocalypse?
Best toilet space I've ever been in was one giant room: Urinals on the left wall, sinks on the right, and stalls in the middle. Everyone and every gender in one space. Best part was that there was a door for men and one for women even though the led into the same room.
Yes! It is time. Maybe some kind of place where you can drop off your bladder, then pick it up nice and empty twenty minutes later after running errands?
This is a shitty topic.
oh piss off!
People don't close the lid when they flush? Disgusting...
most public wc don't have lids in my area.
I personally checked and you are right, public toilets don't have lids here either...as a public safety measure I just didn't flush.
that's the responsible choice
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