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

Flushing a toilet can release particles into the air that remain suspended for at least 20 seconds, new aerosol pathogen research has found. Photograph: Naruecha Jenthaisong/Getty Images

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.