In our 10th month of living through the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 – there are still many who have questions about it’s transmission and one of the more popular questions is “Can flushing the toilet spread Covid-19?”

The answer to the question must begin with some basic knowledge of what scientists and health care experts have found about how this virus is spread.

We’re not physicians nor health care experts, but as plumbers we do know a little about the mechanics of toilets and flushing. For detailed, medical answers to questions about Covid, we urge you to speak with your physician.

How Does Covid-19 Mainly Spread From Person To Person?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – “The virus that causes COVID-19 most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet, or 2 arm lengths)….It spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes.”

Since this is a new virus – it’s generally accepted that this knowledge may change as we learn more and more about how it spreads from person to person.

What Is Toilet Plume?

When you flush a toilet with the lid up – the flushing action causes a spray of microscopic particles to be emitted from the toilet bowl. That is known as a toilet plume.

It has been shown in some studies (and refuted in others) that this toilet aerosol can spread diseases if the water itself is contaminated in any way.

Although there’s no 100% proof that this is true – it’s certainly worth noting and if you have a compromised immune system – you may want to take heed and close that toilet lid before you flush the toilet.

Of course, we do realize that many public toilets do not have a lid so you end up with no choice – that is why some physicians are recommending to avoid public restrooms while we are in the midst of this Coronavirus pandemic.

So, is it possible to catch Covid from flushing a toilet?

Although we don’t yet know 100% for sure if anyone can contract the Coronavirus from flushing a toilet…

Researchers have found that the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, can be shed in feces for up to a month after the illness. That’s longer than in respiratory samples, though how much of that time the virus could be causing infections and whether the virus has infected humans through fecal waste isn’t yet known. – fox46.com

Our recommendation is to be as cautious as possible and close those lids before you flush!


If you have any questions about plumbing problems, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.