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Commercial toilets emit energetic and rapidly spreading aerosol plumes.
Crimaldi, John P; True, Aaron C; Linden, Karl G; Hernandez, Mark T; Larson, Lars T; Pauls, Anna K.
  • Crimaldi JP; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA. crimaldi@colorado.edu.
  • True AC; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
  • Linden KG; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
  • Hernandez MT; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
  • Larson LT; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
  • Pauls AK; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 20493, 2022 12 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2151091
ABSTRACT
Aerosols can transmit infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-2, influenza and norovirus. Flushed toilets emit aerosols that spread pathogens contained in feces, but little is known about the spatiotemporal evolution of these plumes or the velocity fields that transport them. Using laser light to illuminate ejected aerosols we quantify the kinematics of plumes emanating from a commercial flushometer-type toilet, and use the motion of aerosol particles to compute velocity fields of the associated flow. The toilet flush produces a strong chaotic jet with velocities exceeding 2 m/s; this jet transports aerosols to heights reaching 1.5 m within 8 seconds of initiating a flush. Quantifying toilet plumes and associated flow velocities provides a foundation for future design strategies to mitigate plume formation or to disinfect pathogens within it.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Sci Rep Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41598-022-24686-5

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Sci Rep Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41598-022-24686-5