Toilet plume

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A toilet plume is the dispersal of microscopic particles as a result of

SARS coronavirus could potentially be spread by toilet aerosols, but as of 2015, no direct experimental studies had clearly demonstrated or refuted actual disease transmission from toilet aerosols. It has been hypothesized that dispersal of pathogens may be reduced by closing the toilet lid
before flushing, and by using toilets with lower flush energy.

Possible effects on disease transmission

A video discussing research on the health hazards of aerosol toilet plumes

There is indirect evidence that toilet aerosol can be a vector for diseases that involve acute

SARS coronavirus through a contaminated building sewage system,[4] via contaminated toilets rather than other routes.[5] The feces and vomit of infected people can contain high concentrations of pathogens, many of which are known to survive on surfaces for weeks or months, and toilets may continue to produce contaminated toilet plumes over multiple successive flushes. Some other pathogens speculatively identified as being of potential concern for these reasons include gram-positive MRSA, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the pandemic H1N1/09 virus commonly known as "swine flu".[5]

There is no direct experimental evidence on disease transmission by toilet aerosols. Whether or not aerosols can contain norovirus, SARS coronavirus, or other pathogens has not been directly measured as of 2015[update].[5][6] The combination of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces is usually effective at removing contamination, although some pathogens such as norovirus[7] have an apparent resistance to these techniques.[5]

Mechanism

settling velocity and are carried by natural air currents.[8] Disease transmission through droplet nuclei is not a concern for many pathogens, because they are not excreted in feces or vomit, or are susceptible to drying.[5] The critical size dividing these dispersal modes depends on the evaporation rate and vertical distance between the toilet and the surface in question.[8]

Experiments to test bioaerosol production usually involve seeding a toilet with

public restrooms.[8]

One study found that lowering the toilet lid prevented dispersion of large droplets, and reduced the airborne bacteria concentrations by a factor of 12. The study recommended discouraging the use of lidless toilets, and thus contradicts the US Uniform Plumbing Code specifications for public toilets.[5][9]

History

Experiments on the bioaerosol content of toilet plumes were first performed in the 1950s.[5] A 1975 study by Charles P. Gerba popularized the concept of disease transmission through toilet plumes.[10] The term "toilet plume" was in use before 1999.[11]

References

  1. ^
    S2CID 25625899
    .
  2. PMID 15840859
    .
  3. S2CID 29429652
    .
  4. ^ "Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) at Amoy Gardens, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong: Main Findings of the Investigation" (PDF). Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Department of Health. 29 March 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 April 2017.
  5. ^
    PMID 23040490
    .
  6. ^
    S2CID 11166016
    .
  7. PMID 15350713
    .
  8. ^
    PMID 26635429. Archived
    from the original on 15 April 2017.
  9. PMID 22137761
    .
  10. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived
    from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  11. ^ Adams, Cecil (15 April 1999). "The Straight Dope". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
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