How toilet water sprays when we flush - carrying potentially deadly germs into the air - has been revealed in a series of experiments. Scientists say the 'invisible plume' - containing microscopic particles of pee, poop and whatever else was in the pan - is a health hazard for those who follow.
The research team used bright green lasers and cameras to reveal for the first time how they are rapidly ejected from a lidless public cubicle. Lead author Professor John Crimaldi said: "If it's something you can't see, it's easy to pretend it doesn't exist.
"But once you see these videos, you're never going to think about a toilet flush the same way again. By making dramatic visual images of this process, our study can play an important role in public health messaging."
