The Hidden Threat : Unveiling the Microbial World in the Washroom
We spend 90% of our time indoors, be it a home, workplace, education centres, places of worship or gyms. Indoor air quality is a global issue, both short- and long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can cause a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart disease, cognitive deficits, and cancer. According to the WHO globally 3.8 million people die every year due to illness attributed to indoor air.
The global emphasis on Indoor air quality (IAQ) is generally directed towards workspaces and homes, and oddly enough, the one area that is frequently overlooked is the washroom. This seemingly mundane space dedicated to hygiene holds within it confines a complex microbial ecosystem that poses significant health risks, impacting both the well-being of the individual and the overall hygiene of the space in and around this area.
The Bio-Aerosol Threat
Studies have revealed that each time the toilet bowl is flushed it releases bio-aerosols, which include viruses, bacteria, and microscopic faecal matter. Basically we are breathing in toilet water and whatever is in it. These bio-aerosols linger, spread, and also settle on surfaces in the washroom-bathroom area, contributing to potential and on-going transmission. Larger bio-aerosols settle on surfaces, creating fomite transmission. A fomite is an inanimate object, which is likely to carry infection, and unknown to us, countertops, faucets, or door handles, are the fomite transmitters! Once contaminated, the high-touch areas like door handles and faucets, act as conduits and innocuously transfer their ‘storehouse’ of infections, having become breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and pathogens, to us! We then provide the further breeding and spreading grounds within our systems to these eager and ready-to-attack invaders! A study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023, showed exactly what happens each time we flush the toilet.
Common Microbial Residents in Washrooms
If this sounds far-fetched and an over-the-top dramatisation we just need to review the kind of invaders waiting to attack!
The main culprits are a cocktail of bacteria and viruses! E.coli, Salmonella, Staph, and a variety of viruses… all affect us in various ways, but the fact that they find a very friendly breeding space in washrooms is possibly what we are not too aware about.
Interestingly, E. coli, is a type of bacteria which is naturally found in human and animal intestines. Most strains of E. coli are in fact harmless and play a crucial role in the digestion process. But a couple of rogue strains can and do cause illnesses. These strains are usually associated with faecal contamination. E.coli has the capacity to replicate every 20 minutes, which means that in less than 8 hours a single cell can become over 8 million cells. These strains of the bacterium have the capacity to spread rampantly and have stubborn and unbelievable longevity to stay and spread in the host. It is can be found on toilet surfaces, and on door and faucet handles. Inadequate and careless hygiene in cleaning hands or unclean surface areas contribute to the spread of E. coli infections.
There is a plethora of bacteria and viruses that populate the environment as thickly perhaps as we humans do! Just to name a few -- Salmonella, a bacterium known for causing food-borne illnesses; Staph or Staphylococcus aureus often found on the skin and in the nasal passages. We can be carriers without being affected but we can transmit the mild to very severe conditions to others who are more susceptible. Viruses galore accompany us on a daily basis! The influenza virus, is responsible for the seasonal flu outbreaks; Norovirus is a highly contagious and causes gastroenteritis;. Rhinovirus, is the most common cause of the common cold; Adenovirus can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal infections; and the Pneumonia virus, is contagious airborne virus that can cause severe respiratory issues; finally of course the crowning glory is Covid and its variants!
Whatever be the common means of their spread, be it contaminated food and water, or body-to-body, person-to-person, the unclean surfaces such as sinks and door handles and close-circuited air in washrooms, can serve as reservoirs for all of them. Washrooms, particularly public ones, which are frequented by countless human beings and where hygiene is more likely to be compromised, provide the environment because these bacteria and viruses have the ability to survive on surfaces for varying extended periods, especially where the frequency and convenience of transmission is high.
In addition to the continuous reproduction of bacteria and viruses are the harmful gases and compounds VOCs (Volatile organic compounds that are found in indoor spaces including the washrooms. They are released from cleaning agents, air fresheners, personal care products paint, varnish, furniture and several other products. They are volatile, as the vaporise easily and rapidly, leading to respiratory irritation, headaches, and prolonged exposure to the VOCs have long-term side effects.
Additionally the high humidity and moisture content in the washroom creates an ideal breeding rough mould and mildew. The pores released by the fungi rapidly get absorbed in the air and have know to act as triggers for respiratory issues i.e. asthma and other allergies
Most washrooms do not have adequate ventilation, the extractors if any are designed to predominantly focused on odour removal. The lack of or inadequate ventilation reduces proper air circulation and add to the existing contaminated air, CO2 and PM (particulate matter).
CO2 is not only produced by us humans, in fact it is bacteria and aerosol based cleaning agents and air fresheners that generate a high volume of CO2. which combines with the PM generated by toilet flushing, hand drying methods and aerosolised cleaning agents.
Health Risks
All of this convert this dedicated space for hygiene into a playing field of harmfully contaminated creating multiple health risks for us, be it respiratory issues, like asthma COPD (Chromicobstructive pulmonary disease) to allergies, sensitive and other infections and illnesses, with themost common symptoms being fatigue and headaches .
Coming in contact with bacteria such as E. coli, Staph, Salmonella, and norovirus, all of which could be present on toilet and washroom surfaces, can contribute to urinary tract infections (UT), skin infection and other gastrointestinal infections, like diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps respectively.
The long term exposure to harmful air in washrooms may contribute to long-term health effects, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and a compromised immune system. Mitigating the Risks
Standard practices of washroom cleanliness, along with touch-less fixtures, and extractors is not enough. Just by regular or frequent clearing of the surfaces with chemical laden cleaning agents is not enough. Washroom fresheners work as masking agents and are just cosmetic.
There are multiply ways in which we can mitigates these risks and effectively reduce the contaminates with the washrooms. Just regular cleaning with chemical laden cleaning agents does not cut it. Often the material used, like mops and cleaning cloths are not sterilised, and are at times are used outside the washroom in other parts of the indoors space, which expands the spread of the contaminates. Implementation of air and surface decontaminating systems and along with a reduction in the use of chemical laden cleaning agents should be the first step.
Introducing public awareness, promoting hand hygiene and shutting the lid when you flush should be second step. Ensuring that the is adequate soap and sanitisers in the washroom and encouraging its use is important. Just washing ones hand with water will not cut it. Studies have shown that shutting the lid before flushing reduces the bio-aerosols” from spread out and lingering in the air. If possible, increasing the ventilation within the washroom, adds to reduction of the contaminates in the air. However it does extract them out into the ambient air. Also the addition of touch less fixtures along with promote proper disposal of waste, especially sanitary products, will add to minimise the risk of bacterial contamination. Regular emptying of trash bins is essential to prevent the proliferation of harmful microorganisms.
In Conclusion
It is imperative to address harmful air in washrooms to safeguard the health and well-being of occupants. Recognising the importance of IAQ in washrooms is a crucial step toward creating safer and more sustainable indoor environments and the ESG protocols of any organisation
The battle against the hidden threat of microbial invaders in the washrooms, adopting proactive strategies, along with promoting public awareness, we can create safeguards to protect the health and well-being of occupants. It being with education, awareness, and a commitment to adopting practices that prioritise hygiene in these essential spaces.
The simplest and most important thing for each one of us to do is to “Trust Your Nose”. If the washroom smells bad, wait to let the room air out a bit before you go in.
Next Article