If you’re not careful, you might be putting yourself at risk of inhaling harmful airborne bacteria when using the toilet.
Whether public or at home, toilets are not known for being the healthiest places, even if they appear cleaner than the infamous “worst toilet in Scotland” from the 1996 film, Trainspotting.
In terms of personal hygiene, our dependence on tissue paper rather than bidets leaves us a bit behind compared to European and Arab countries when it comes to cleaning ourselves properly.
Beyond just washing hands thoroughly, there’s another habit to be mindful of that could expose us to harmful bacteria.
Research has shown that flushing does not completely eradicate the germs present in the toilet bowl.
Flushing launches tiny water droplets into the air, which may contain bacteria such as E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Campylobacter.
Inhaling these droplets can lead to various health issues, from stomach ailments to respiratory infections.
Thankfully, a simple solution exists: flushing with the toilet lid down.
Studies conducted by researchers at University College Cork, Ireland, reveal that lowering the lid before flushing can reduce airborne particles by up to 50 percent.
During their week-long study of a shared toilet, they observed that smaller droplets decreased by 30 to 60 percent when the lid was closed.
Another study from China compared two office bathrooms, one with a squat toilet and another equipped with a bidet.
Researchers used human stools to assess the presence of airborne bacteria during flushing and compared it to instances when the toilet was flushed without waste.
The findings showed that squat toilets had similar results to seated ones commonly found in homes.
Post-flush air tests indicated that bacteria levels were significantly lower when the toilet was empty before flushing, with E.coli reduced by 16 to 27 percent and S. aureus by 25 to 43 percent.
Improving ventilation is another way to minimize airborne bacteria particles, known as bioaerosols.
Wajid Ali, who led the research at China University of Geosciences, highlighted the health risks posed by bioaerosol exposure in public restrooms, as reported by the Daily Mail.
He recommended optimizing exhaust fans and increasing air exchange rates to decrease bioaerosol concentrations and exposure risks.
Despite lingering for minutes after flushing, scientific consensus suggests that closing the lid before flushing can significantly lessen the bacteria released into the air.
Next time nature calls, remember to close the lid first.