2022/12/08 by John P. Crimaldi, Aaron C. True, Karl G. Linden +3 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Engineering · Medicine · #Aerodynamics and Acoustics in Jet Flows #Infection Control and Ventilation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-24686-5
openalex publication_date 2022/12/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
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.