Impacts of Lid Closure during Toilet Flushing and of Toilet Bowl Cleaning on Viral Aerosol Contamination of Restroom Surfaces

Madison P. Goforth, Stephanie A. Boone, Justin Clark, Priscilla B. Valenzuela, Julie McKinney, M. Khalid Ijaz, Charles P. Gerba

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The aerosolization of viruses from toilets during flushing has received a lot of attention recently, because of concerns with emerging viruses and the potential for viral contamination of restroom surfaces following toilet use. Viral aerosols generated during toilet flushing represent a potential route of transmission. The impact of toilet lid closure prior to flushing on generation of viral aerosols and cross contamination of restroom fomites has been debated. A surrogate for human enteric viruses (bacteriophage MS2) was added to household and public toilet bowls and the toilets were flushed. The resulting viral contamination of the toilet and other restroom surfaces was then determined. These results demonstrated that closing the toilet lid prior to flushing does not mitigate risk of contaminating bathroom surfaces and that disinfection of all restroom surfaces (i.e., toilet rim, floors) may be necessary after flushing or after toilet brush use for the reduction of virus contamination.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication18th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Conference Program and Proceedings
PublisherInternational Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
ISBN (Electronic)9798331306816
StatePublished - 2024
Event18th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Honolulu, United States
Duration: Jul 7 2024Jul 11 2024

Publication series

Name18th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Conference Program and Proceedings

Conference

Conference18th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu
Period7/7/247/11/24

Keywords

  • Aerosol generation
  • Restrooms
  • Toilet flushing
  • Virus dissemination
  • virus transmission

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pollution

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