Flushing Can Spread Diarrhea Disease (ABC News)
Flushing the toilet with the lid up can spray diarrhea-causing bacteria into the air, according to a new study of hospital toilets.
Although the study focused on hospital toilets, experts say the findings extend to public restrooms and households.
A 2004 episode of Myth Busters found lidless toilets do indeed spray water onto surrounding surfaces - including toothbrushes - but concluded the health risk was negligible. In fact "control" toothbrushes removed from the restroom during the flush were also speckled with fecal bacteria.
In recent years, C. difficile infections have increased in number and severity - a trend Schaffner said might wane if more people opt to drop the lid.
