Risk of Catching COVID-19 in Public Restrooms Is Low

Unless you are spending a substantial amount of time in public restrooms, an Australian study found the risk of catching infectious diseases such as COVID-19 in restrooms is low, European Cleaning Journal reports.

In a peer-reviewed paper published in Science of the Total Environment, researchers detailed how they analyzed 38 studies from 13 countries between 2000 and 2020 to determine the risk of viral and bacterial transmission in public toilets. They considered several possible transmission modes including inhalation and surface contact.

The use of hand dryers and aerosolization from flush systems did pose some risks, according to study lead Professor Sotiris Vardoulakis. Scientists also found that environmental samples from toilets in COVID-19 wards in Singapore, China, England, and Italy revealed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when tested.

“Importantly, the aerosols you may inhale when you flush the toilet come from your own human waste,” said Vardoulakis. “The risk of cross-contamination is not very high.”

Overall, researchers determined the chances of transmission were low provided restroom patrons followed good hygiene protocols.

“We realize people are worried about using public washrooms during the pandemic,” said Vardoulakis. “But if you minimize your time in the washroom, you wash and dry your hands properly, and don’t use your mobile phone, eat or drink, then the risks should remain low.”

The researchers offered several recommendations to reduce public restroom contamination and the transmission of pathogens, including switching to automatic flush systems, closing the toilet lid before flushing, installing electric doors, and introducing doorless entryways.