The habit of closing the toilet lid before flushing and the surprising truth behind it

A 2022 study from the University of Colorado (Boulder, USA) demonstrated the phenomenon of "water spray" containing waste sprayed from toilets when flushed. Researchers used lasers to observe this phenomenon, finding that the water spray can shoot up to 1.5 meters high in 8 seconds and spread horizontally.

This is especially concerning if the previous user has a highly contagious disease such as norovirus or hand, foot and mouth disease, which can be spread through feces as well as other forms. At the time of the changing seasons, when many epidemics are rampant, caution is more important than ever.

Toilet water spray can shoot up to 1.5 meters high in 8 seconds and spread horizontally. (Photo: Daily mail)

When you flush, traces of whatever you flushed into the toilet appear in the spray created with the flush, says Primrose Freestone, professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester. Human waste can carry a range of potentially transmissible pathogens: Campylobacter, Candida, Cryptosporidium, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Yersinia bacteria, as well as viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus and hepatitis A and E, and COVID-19.

The University of Colorado study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, did not test the reduction in water spray when the toilet lid was closed before flushing.

But a new study finds that even closing the lid doesn't solve all germ problems. According to the study, published in the American Journal of Infection Control by the University of Arizona, doing so may reduce water spray but doesn't significantly prevent contamination of areas around the toilet.

The toilet seat and lid are the most contaminated areas. Closing the toilet lid reduces the risk of infection because the trajectory of the flush water is reduced, but you have already cleaned the toilet seat, says Freestone. So wipe the lid with a paper towel, then spray it with a surface disinfectant spray or bleach and let it air dry. When you do touch the toilet seat, it is also a good idea to sanitize the toilet seat and flush handle. Then wash your hands thoroughly.

Hand washing - the most important measure

Even if you can’t disinfect the toilet seat, your best bet is to wash your hands. After all, there’s no research to suggest that these sprays of water can definitely lead to infection. Infections typically come from eating contaminated food or transferring bacteria from your hands to your mouth, Freestone says.

Washing your hands is the best way to avoid catching infectious diseases. (Photo: Daily mail)

Dirty hands are the ones that spread germs to other surfaces and hands and then to our mouths or eyes (when we rub our eyes). "Clean all surfaces in the bathroom regularly with disinfectant and always pay attention to washing your hands thoroughly to avoid infecting yourself," warns Professor Freestone.

Quoc Thai (Source: Daily mail)

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