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Flushing the toilet can release a ‘plume’ of breathable pathogens – and closing the lid won’t stop their escape
The Guardian World
Tuesday 08 September 2026, 15:00 UTC
By Tory Shepherd
1 min read
Key Points
New research shows turbulent flushes create toilet-generated aerosols that can transmit legionella, influenza and norovirusGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFlushing toilets release particles into the “breathing zone” of adults and can remain suspended in the air for at least 20 seconds, a new study has found. And closing the lid might not be enough to avoid a “plume” of potential pathogens.
New research shows turbulent flushes create toilet-generated aerosols that can transmit legionella, influenza and norovirus
Flushing toilets release particles into the “breathing zone” of adults and can remain suspended in the air for at least 20 seconds, a new study has found.
And closing the lid might not be enough to avoid a “plume” of potential pathogens.
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Originally published by The Guardian World
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