On the hygienic function of the toilet lid
However, many people are unaware of this, the toilet seat is not a simple decorative element. Tampoco is not intended to be a seat, although many do use it for that purpose,
In reality, the toilet seat has an important role to play. hygienic function, by creating a wall that protects us from microbiological contamination. According to some studies, if we lower the toilet lid before flushing the toilet, we will avoid, in a practical and simple way, the risk of microbial contamination. 10,000 bacteria that are in the water - and water vapour - inside the toilet jump up to 1.5 metres away from the bowl.
And, consequently, that all these micro-organisms potentially dangerous to our health are spread on the floor and walls of the bathroom, and adhere to towels, toilet paper, our daily cosmetic products or even on our toothbrush.
The hygienic function of the toilet seat: what is it?
The invention of the toilet bowl, which undoubtedly marked a turning point in hygiene worldwide, is usually dated back to 1597, by the English nobleman Sir John Harrington. Later, the Scottish watchmaker Alexander Cummings would create the ‘water wardrobe‘. Lastly, a third Briton, the tinsmith Thomas Crapper I would add the siphon system, which eliminated odours and made it easier to clean the toilet bowl.
From the original design, however, there was already a lid to separate the inside of the toilet bowl from the rest of the room - mostly the bathroom - in which the toilet is installed. And in the case of toilets, thehe lid was not designed to fulfil a purely decorative function.. Nor, as much as a large number of people make use of it, nor is it intended to be a seat.
The toilet seat cover has a basic hygienic function, by separating us from all the microscopic organisms that accumulate in the water and in the toilet bowl and which, after flushing, could spread at a rate of about 10,000/m2 on the floor and walls throughout the room, becoming sources of microbiological contamination.
An interesting experiment on the hygienic function of the toilet lid
In a recent experiment, Spanish microbiology professor and science populariser Jose Ramos Vivas demonstrated, through a microbiological analysis of a classic toilet bowl, the importance of closing the toilet lid to prevent contamination of the entire room.
This experiment is actually not very complicated to carry out, as long as you have the right laboratory tools. And if there is something about it that stands out, it is precisely the fact that it is aimed at all kinds of audiences - including non-experts - and that the dissemination of its results has been done by
This researcher obtained revealing data on the number of bacteria and potentially polluting particles released when the toilet is flushed: some 10,000/m2 floor and walls. Moreover, after the experiment, Vivas concludes that this measure should be taken into account. especially in hospitals and health centres, patients with diarrhoea and infections in the faeces will often be encountered. Hygiene measures must therefore be taken to the utmost.