Is flushing the toilet making you sick?

When you flush your toilet, there’s apparently something far more sinister going on than water swirling down the drain and washing your poop down. Toilet plumes – the invisible mist-like substance – are making everyone think twice before they open the lid and flush.

No one really thought about the fact that flushing could have such far-reaching consequences, but now it has become a hot topic of discussion, thanks to a study that brought it to light, followed by countless Instagram and Snapchat videos that piqued people’s curiosity.

Obviously, these tiny droplets have a lot more potential than you might think, and not in the most positive way. They can make you sick, as they carry a lot of bacteria and germs.

But how much truth is there in this?

Read here what the experts say

About toilet plums

Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastava, General Physician, Sharda Hospital, Delhi, explains, “When you flush the toilet, a cloud of microscopic particles is released into the air. This cloud is known as the toilet plume, which may contain bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from the toilet bowl. It is formed when water creates a powerful vortex during flushing, propelling tiny droplets upwards and outwards, which may contain fecal matter.”

“While normal use of the toilet by a healthy individual is generally not considered to pose any major health risk, the situation changes drastically if the person is ill and is excreting toxic microbes through urine, faeces or vomit,” says Dr Anand Utture, Urology Consultant, PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Khar, Mumbai.

These particles aren’t something you can see, but they’re there, floating, waiting to settle on a nearby surface. And this grime can linger around you long after you leave the bathroom, leaving you vulnerable to germs.

The science behind toilet smoke

In 2022, researchers led by John Crimaldi, a professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, used lasers to highlight these aerosolized plumes. Their findings showed that these plumes, which potentially contain bacteria and viruses, can rise about five feet into the air within just eight seconds of flushing — reaching the height of an average adult’s nose and mouth.

The more powerful the flush, the higher and farther these particles can travel. So, while you might think your quick flush is sending everything safely down the drain, it’s also sending invisible germs throughout your bathroom.

It can accumulate on surfaces such as toothbrushes, towels, and hands.

What are the risks?

The thought of particles from the toilet bowl being released into the air can make anyone anxious. However, the real concern is what these particles carry. Research shows that toilet plumes can spread bacteria and viruses, including E. coli, norovirus, and even coronavirus.

“Toilet smoke can spread various infections, such as gastrointestinal problems like E. coli and salmonella, respiratory infections, and even skin infections,” says Dr Srivastava.

“Once airborne, these germs can settle on frequently touched surfaces — the sink, the floor or even your toothbrush if it’s nearby. If you touch these surfaces and then your face, you could unknowingly risk infection,” he added.

How worried should you be?

Toilet fumes can spread germs, but most people are unlikely to become infected, said Katrin Kuhn, an infectious disease epidemiologist and associate professor and vice chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at Oklahoma Health Sciences University. The risk is particularly low, she said, unless the toilet has been used by someone with a highly contagious illness, such as the stomach bug norovirus. Washington Post,

While it is true that flushing a toilet can produce infectious aerosols, no study has yet proven that toilet smoke actually causes infection, so this is still just a myth.

Experts also point out that touching contaminated surfaces, such as door handles, elevator buttons, and shopping carts, is a much greater risk of infection than toilet fumes. When you touch these surfaces and then touch your face, you increase your chances of picking up germs and becoming infected.

Flush it the right way

While the experts’ comments may bring you relief, it’s important to remember that maintaining hygiene shouldn’t just be driven by fear of illness – it should be part of your daily routine. To help reduce exposure to germs and bacteria, Dr Srivastava shares some essential bathroom hygiene tips:

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• Always close the toilet lid before flushing.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet.
• Avoid touching your face, mouth and eyes after using the toilet.
• Clean and disinfect bathroom surfaces regularly.
• Consider using a toilet seat cover.
• Ensure proper ventilation in the bathroom.

take away

While the smoke from a toilet may not be dangerous enough to cause immediate concern, it’s hard to ignore the benefits of following key hygiene practices in the bathroom – closing the lid before flushing being one of them.