Toilets spew invisible aerosol plumes with every flush — here’s the proof, captured by high-powered lasers

Subject : Science and Technology

Context-

Every time you flush a toilet, it releases plumes of tiny water droplets into the air around you. These droplets, called aerosol plumes, can spread pathogens from human waste and expose people in public restrooms to contagious diseases.

Aerosols transmissible diseases (ATB)-

Aerosol-transmissible diseases (ATDs), such as tuberculosis and measles, are transmitted by infectious particles or droplets through inhalation or direct contact with mucous membranes in the respiratory tract or eyes.
ATDs that spread via the airborne route is called airborne infectious diseases (AirID).
Aerosol particles containing pathogens are important human disease vectors.
Smaller particles that remain suspended in the air for a period of time can expose people to respiratory diseases like influenza and COVID-19 through inhalation.
Larger particles that settle quickly on surfaces can spread intestinal diseases like norovirus through contact with the hands and mouth.

Probable solution-

There are ways to reduce human exposure to toilet plumes.
An obvious strategy is to close the lid prior to flushing.
However, this does not completely eliminate aerosol plumes and many toilets in public, commercial and healthcare settings do not have lids.
Ventilation or UV disinfection systems could also mitigate exposure to aerosol plumes in the bathroom.