Flushing the toilet can release a ‘plume’ of breathable pathogens – and closing the lid won’t stop their escape

2026-09-08 · 宋雨欣

New research shows turbulent flushes create toilet-generated aerosols that can transmit legionella, influenza and norovirus

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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.

Flushing the toilet can release a ‘plume’ of breathable pathogens – and closing the lid won’t stop their escape

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