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World

9 September 2026

Flushing the toilet can release a ‘plume’ of breathable pathogens – and closing the lid won’t stop their escape

Downunder Voices Newsroom

Source reporting: The Guardian World

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Flushing the toilet can release a ‘plume’ of breathable pathogens – and closing the lid won’t stop their escape

New research shows turbulent flushes create toilet-generated aerosols that can transmit legionella, influenza and norovirus Flushing toilets release particles into the “breathing zone” of adults and can remain suspended in the air for at least 20 seconds, a new study has found. And closing the lid might not be enough to avoid a “plume” of potential pathogens.

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Community angle

Frames the NDIS-Palantir issue around trust for people with disability and local communities, urging transparent safeguards, independent oversight and clear privacy protections.

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