The GuardianUK News & Comment• 1 min read

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

Published 8 September 2026, 4:00pm

New research shows turbulent flushes create toilet-generated aerosols that can transmit legionella, influenza and norovirus Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Flushing toilets release particles into…

Read the full story at The Guardian

Havoc links to the original reporting. The full story stays with the publisher.

Was this worth reading?Sign in to vote

More in UK News & Comment

The Guardian

Rise of the Rockstar Chef review – Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White serve up the most sizzling TV of the year

Heston Blumenthal is a third wheel as the pair reveal all about their culinary stardom and infamous beef. Expect endless juicy gossip, from pan-throwing to gatecrashing weddings … and mid-service kitchen sex Never mind the scallops, here’s the Chef Pistols.

UK News & Comment The Guardian

British Ebola patient evacuated from DR Congo arrives at London hospital

Doctor who was helping response to outbreak in Africa taken to specialist isolation unit at Royal Free hospital A British doctor who tested positive for Ebola while working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has returned to the UK for specialist treatment.

UK News & Comment The Guardian

White House event reveals Ukraine and Russia share one goal: flattering Melania

As war rages on in Kyiv and other cities, the first lady celebrates her single-city ceasefire with Russian and Ukrainian envoys Beaming from a podium in the White House’s Grand Foyer, Melania Trump welcomed senior Russian and Ukrainian officials on Thursday to celebrate a…

UK News & Comment