*Experts says there are practical measures consumers can take to stay healthy while using the bathrooms, public restrooms

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Regularly washing and sanitising your hands has become an even more common practice ever since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the world.

While this development has been found to be an effective way to reduce the risk of spreading germs, a new study researchers from the University of South Australia conducted suggests that even more needs to be done in this regard.

Based on an analysis of public restrooms across 13 countries, the researchers learned that leaving the toilet lid open and using jet hand dryers can increase the risk of bacterial and viral transmission.

Researcher Erica Donner said: 鈥淪ome people have been worried about using public washrooms during the pandemic, but if you minimise your time in the bathroom, wash and dry your hands properly, and don鈥檛 use your mobile phone, eat or drink, then the risks should be low, especially if the bathroom is well maintained.

鈥淲hile there is limited evidence of COVID-19 transmission via public washrooms, they are rife with bacteria especially those that are used frequently and not cleaned properly.鈥�

Regarding staying healthy in public restrooms for the study, the researchers analysed nearly 40 earlier studies that came from over a dozen different countries.

The main focus of each of these analyses was to better understand the disease risks associated with using public restrooms.

Ultimately, the researchers determined that the risk of airborne infections, like COVID-19, isn’t likely to increase when consumers use public bathrooms.

However, there are other disease risks present when using the bathroom in places like restaurants, movie theaters, or office buildings.

The biggest risks come from poor hygiene habits in these bathrooms.

Air hand dryers and leaving the toilet lid open after flushing were some of the prime ways for bacteria to spread in public restrooms.

For example, leaving the toilet lid open after flushing may spread bacteria more than one meter around the room for more than 30 minutes.

Jet hand dryers proved to be even more of a risk, as bacteria spread as far as three meters when consumers used these devices.

Donner further stated: 鈥淎lthough there is a potential risk of aerosols spreading from toilet flushing and hand drying, we found no evidence of airborne transmission of intestinal or respiratory pathogens in public bathrooms in the literature we reviewed.

鈥淗owever, there is no doubt that thorough hand washing and effective hand drying is critical in stopping the spread of diseases.鈥�

Keeping up with proper hygiene

The researchers hope consumers do not avoid going into public restrooms.

While poor cleaning and hygiene habits certainly increase the risk of infection, there are ways for consumers to stay safe and healthy.

Donner also said: 鈥淎s borders open up and cases increase, people can protect themselves against COVID-19 infection by continuing to practice good hygiene.

鈥淭his includes hand washing and sanitising, and disinfecting door handles, toilet lids, and other frequently touched surfaces.

鈥淭hese habits will not only lower the risk of COVID-19 infection but also limit the risk of bacterial infections.鈥�