Hand washing and disinfection are not enough: close the toilet lid after flushing!

A global assessment of the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses in public toilets found that bioaerosols may spread through defective pipes in multi-storey buildings.

Lidless trash cans in public bathrooms are also classified as dangerous, especially those located under or near electric hand dryers

Researchers from the Australian National University and the University of South Australia evaluated 38 different studies from 13 countries that investigated the risk of infectious diseases spreading in public toilets

In addition to considering the risk of spreading the new crown virus in toilets, the report also analyzes the risks of other infectious diseases in restaurants, workplaces, commercial places, and university public toilets

The results showed that there is extensive evidence that contaminated surfaces are a cause of fecal-oral transmission, but there are no recorded instances of air-related infectious disease transmission

After the border was reopened, researchers called for more studies to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spread in public toilets

The paper’s co-author, UNU environmental scientist Professor Erica Donner, said that anecdotal evidence shows that in the past 18 months, users have avoided using public toilets because they believe there is a risk of spreading COVID-19

"Some people have been worried about using public toilets during the flu pandemic, but if you reduce your time in the bathroom, wash, dry hands, don't use mobile phones, eat or drink, then the risk should be low, especially if the bathroom is well maintained.

"Although there is limited evidence that COVID-19 is spread through public toilets, there are bacteria everywhere in public toilets, especially those that are used frequently but not properly cleaned

A large number of intestinal, skin and soil bacteria and respiratory viruses have been found in public toilets, posing a risk of transmission

Open toilets have poor flushing, hand-washing or hand-drying effects, poor surface cleanliness, clogged sewers, and exposed trash bins.

Six studies investigated the spread of bacteria in public toilets, and the results showed that air-jet dryers may spread droplets as far as 3 meters, while toilet flushing will spread particles as far as 1.

A study in 2021 estimated that the number of particles produced when flushing the toilet is equivalent to the droplets produced when a person speaks aloud for more than six and a half minutes

Professor Downer said: "Although flushing toilets and drying hands may have a potential risk of aerosol transmission, in the literature we reviewed, we found no evidence of airborne transmission of intestinal or respiratory pathogens in public toilets

"However, there is no doubt that thorough hand washing and effective hand drying are essential to prevent the spread of disease

"As the border opens and cases increase, people can protect themselves from COVID-19 by continuing to maintain good hygiene practices

"These habits will not only reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, but also limit the risk of bacterial infection
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Journal Reference :

1. Sotiris Vardoulakis, Daniela A.
   Espinoza Oyarce, Erica Donner.
   Transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in public washrooms: A systematic review .
   Science of The Total Environment , 2022; 803: 149932 DOI: 10.
   1016/j.
   scitotenv.
   2021.
   149932 cessed November 4, 2021).