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    Lifting the lid on toilet plume aerosol: a literature review with suggestions for future research.

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND

    The potential risks associated with "toilet plume" aerosols produced by flush toilets is a subject of continuing study. This review examines the evidence regarding toilet plume bioaerosol generation and infectious disease transmission.

    METHODS

    The peer-reviewed scientific literature was searched to identify articles related to aerosol production during toilet flushing, as well as epidemiologic studies examining the potential role of toilets in infectious disease outbreaks.

    RESULTS

    The studies demonstrate that potentially infectious aerosols may be produced in substantial quantities during flushing. Aerosolization can continue through multiple flushes to expose subsequent toilet users. Some of the aerosols desiccate to become droplet nuclei and remain adrift in the air currents. However, no studies have yet clearly demonstrated or refuted toilet plume-related disease transmission, and the significance of the risk remains largely uncharacterized.

    CONCLUSION

    Research suggests that toilet plume could play a contributory role in the transmission of infectious diseases. Additional research in multiple areas is warranted to assess the risks posed by toilet plume, especially within health care facilities.

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    Authors+Show Affiliations

    Johnson DL
    ,

    Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Oklahoma College of Public Health, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901, USA. David-Johnson@ouhsc.edu

    Mead KR
    ,
    Lynch RA
    ,
    Hirst DV

    Source

    MeSH

    Aerosols
    Air Microbiology
    Disease Transmission, Infectious
    Humans
    Risk Assessment
    Toilet Facilities

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article
    Review

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    23040490

    Citation

    TY - JOUR T1 - Lifting the lid on toilet plume aerosol: a literature review with suggestions for future research. AU - Johnson,David L, AU - Mead,Kenneth R, AU - Lynch,Robert A, AU - Hirst,Deborah V L, Y1 - 2012/10/05/ PY - 2012/02/24/received PY - 2012/04/13/revised PY - 2012/04/14/accepted PY - 2012/10/9/entrez PY - 2012/10/9/pubmed PY - 2013/8/13/medline SP - 254 EP - 8 JF - American journal of infection control JO - Am J Infect Control VL - 41 IS - 3 N2 - BACKGROUND: The potential risks associated with "toilet plume" aerosols produced by flush toilets is a subject of continuing study. This review examines the evidence regarding toilet plume bioaerosol generation and infectious disease transmission. METHODS: The peer-reviewed scientific literature was searched to identify articles related to aerosol production during toilet flushing, as well as epidemiologic studies examining the potential role of toilets in infectious disease outbreaks. RESULTS: The studies demonstrate that potentially infectious aerosols may be produced in substantial quantities during flushing. Aerosolization can continue through multiple flushes to expose subsequent toilet users. Some of the aerosols desiccate to become droplet nuclei and remain adrift in the air currents. However, no studies have yet clearly demonstrated or refuted toilet plume-related disease transmission, and the significance of the risk remains largely uncharacterized. CONCLUSION: Research suggests that toilet plume could play a contributory role in the transmission of infectious diseases. Additional research in multiple areas is warranted to assess the risks posed by toilet plume, especially within health care facilities. SN - 1527-3296 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/23040490/abstract/Lifting_the_lid_on_toilet_plume_aerosol:_A_literature_review_with_suggestions_for_future_research_ L2 - http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0196-6553(12)00812-7 ER -