Toilet Lid Up or Down: Study Finds Little Difference in Airborne Contamination
We’ve all heard the age-old debate: should the toilet lid be left up or down? Well, according to a recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Arizona, it turns out that it doesn’t make much of a difference when it comes to airborne contamination. The study, published in the American Journal of Infection Control, aimed to investigate whether closing the toilet lid before flushing could reduce cross-contamination of bathroom surfaces by airborne bacterial and viral particles.
The concept of “toilet plumes” has been around for quite some time. These plumes refer to the small droplets that are formed and spread into the air when a toilet is flushed, potentially carrying harmful pathogens such as E. coli or norovirus. The idea that disease could be spread through toilet plumes was popularized in a 1975 study, and more recent experiments have visualized these plumes using green lasers and cameras.
The University of Arizona study sought to determine whether closing the toilet lid could significantly reduce the spread of contaminants. Previous research suggested that closing the lid could reduce airborne droplets by 30 to 60 percent. However, the new study found that putting a lid on it didn’t result in any substantial reduction in contamination.
The researchers conducted their experiment using E. coli as a host bacteria and coliphage MS2 as a model. They tested both a public toilet without a lid and a household toilet with a lid. The results showed that while the tops and bottoms of lidless public toilet seats had more contamination compared to household seats, there was no statistical significance in the degree of contamination between the two. The toilet seat was found to be the worst offender, reflecting the airflow that occurs during flushing.
Interestingly, the study also examined the effectiveness of cleaning methods in reducing contamination. It was found that rigorous cleaning with a toilet bowl brush and a disinfectant like Lysol reduced contamination by 99.99 percent compared to cleaning with just a brush. Therefore, the researchers concluded that the most effective strategy for reducing cross-contamination associated with toilet flushing is to add a disinfectant to the toilet bowl before flushing and use disinfectant/detergent dispensers in the toilet tank.
The findings of this study have important implications for public health, particularly in healthcare facilities where there may be a higher risk of infection transmission. The researchers recommend regularly disinfecting all restroom surfaces after flushing or cleaning with a toilet brush in such facilities. Additionally, if someone in your household has an active infection like norovirus, it is advisable to take extra precautions and implement the recommended cleaning strategies.
So, the next time you find yourself pondering whether to leave the toilet lid up or down, remember that it may not make much of a difference in terms of airborne contamination. Instead, focus on proper cleaning and disinfection practices to ensure a hygienic restroom environment.
