Toilets in busy workplaces can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases and even outbreaks among staff. Scientific research has determined that disease-causing microorganisms such as Norovirus, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridioides difficile, Staphylococcus aureus, Adenovirus, and Coronavirus are found alive in the air and on surfaces of shared toilets:
|
Microorganism |
Transmission Route |
Diseases Caused |
|
Norovirus |
Surfaces contaminated by feces or vomit, aerosol particles contaminating the air |
Severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration |
|
E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella |
Toilet seats, door handles, faucets |
Diarrhea, abdominal pain, sometimes more serious intestinal problems |
|
Clostridioides difficile |
Spores can remain viable on surfaces for long periods, can be transmitted via unclean surfaces |
Severe diarrhea, colitis, increased risk after antibiotics |
|
Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) |
Contact of small cuts or open wounds with contaminated surfaces |
Skin infections, in more serious cases, bloodstream infections |
|
Viruses (e.g., influenza, adenovirus, coronaviruses) |
Air and surface contamination via respiratory droplets |
Influenza, common cold, adenovirus infections (conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, diarrhea), COVID-19 and similar coronavirus diseases, fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, and vomiting |
Unfortunately, routine cleaning procedures alone are insufficient to control such pathogenic microorganisms that can spread from toilets. This is because chemical disinfectants used in cleaning require a specific wet contact time to be effective. However, in daily operations, it is often difficult for cleaning staff to adhere to this duration.
For example, if the chemical disinfectant used needs to remain wet on the surface for 60 minutes, the microorganisms listed in the table will not be inactivated if this period is not observed. In such cases, bacteria and viruses can continue to survive on both surfaces and in the air. Therefore, chemical-free and contact-time-free true disinfection methods should be preferred for toilet disinfection in workplaces.
When used regularly, Sterilisa Pro provides true disinfection by effectively preventing the transmission of microorganisms remaining alive on surfaces to personnel and reducing the risk of in-company outbreaks; Sterilisa Air continuously disinfects the toilet air, eliminating both microorganisms spread by employees through respiration and pathogens dispersed into the air when the toilet is flushed. The integrated use of these two systems simultaneously eliminates both surface- and airborne pathogen loads, enabling true and sustainable toilet hygiene.
Source:
Abney, S. E., Bright, K. R., McKinney, J., Ijaz, M. K., & Gerba, C. P. (2021). Toilet hygiene-review and research needs. Journal of applied microbiology, 131(6), 2705–2714. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.15121
APIC. (2023, October 5). New analysis shows that disinfection is the most effective way to prevent viral contamination of restroom surfaces. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
