Toilets and urinals are increasingly falling under scrutinization as studies begin to pile up, identifying the devices and their plumes as major sources of infectious disease transmission, including COVID-19.
Regular Toilet and Urinal Cleaning is a Must
Dirty public restrooms have long been the bane of many organizations.
Survey after survey has shown increasing customer dissatisfaction with businesses that refuse to provide safe and healthy facilities for their patrons, that customers will take their business elsewhere and will not likely return if they have a bad restroom experience at a particular establishment, and that many will go so far as to leave negative online reviews about the business due to the dirty bathroom.
Now, new information has surfaced from several sources pointing to toilet and urinal plumes as probable sources for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in public facilities.
Human coronavirus variants have long been known to survive through the digestive tract into human feces, where the virus can be aerosolized through toilet plumes and spread directly to occupants, especially in poorly ventilated restrooms, and contaminate commonly touched surfaces.
According to a recent post by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
Isolation of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in feces indicates the possibility of fecal-oral transmission or fecal–respiratory transmission through aerosolized feces.
During the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome pandemic, 329 residents of a private housing estate in Hong Kong were infected; 42 died.
Investigation of the building’s structure showed that faulty sewage pipelines led to the aerosolization of contaminated feces, which was believed to be the source of infection.
Our findings indicate the need for appropriate precautions to avoid potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from feces.
Discharge and hospital cleaning practices should consider this possibility for critically ill patients or those who died who had high viral loads and are more likely to shed infectious virus.
Infectious SARS-CoV-2 in Feces of Patient with Severe COVID-19
A further study involving urinals, published by China's reported that:
- Airborne droplets are released within approximately 5 seconds of flushing, potentially spreading a coronavirus.
- Within that timeframe, 60% of the droplets will spread past the urinal's exterior and reach roughly three feet into the air.
- Initially, the trajectory of the droplets points directly at the urinal user, and;
- After approximately six seconds, the droplets will have traveled higher and further, covering walls, partitions, and other commonly touched surfaces adjacent to the urinal.
Source:
Survey Says!--Clean Restrooms are Better for Business
If the thought of having a potentially deadly virus sprayed directly at you from a public urinal wasn't enough to convince you to clean your facility's restrooms regularly, consumer sentiment on the matter is sure to seal the deal.
According to the results of the 2019 Healthy Handwashing Survey conducted by Bradley Corp:
- The number of respondents stating they would "definitely" or "probably" spend more money at a business with a well-maintained restroom increased seven points to 52% in 2019 compared to 45% in 2018.
- 64% said they decided to patron a business based on the fact that it had cleaner bathrooms--Women (67%) being marginally more drawn to well-maintained restrooms than men (61%).
However, 69% reported having an unpleasant experience, resulting in:
- 26% left the building without spending any money.
- 39% stated they would think twice before returning to the same business.
- 43% complained directly to the management, and;
- 55% stated they were unlikely to ever return to the business after an unpleasant restroom experience.
Productive Restroom Cleaning Strategies
Typically, there are two primary strategies for scheduling the cleaning and sanitation of any space in a facility--by schedule or by necessity, usually based on foot traffic.
Public restrooms, especially those in busy schools or businesses, will benefit from both.
Scheduled cleaning times ensure sanitation work is performed promptly and that dedicated resources are allocated for critical tasks.
Day porter check-ins throughout the day provide a stop-gap and bridge between scheduled cleaning services to ensure no problems arise with facility equipment and that paper and soap supplies are fully stocked, that trash is not left on the floor or overflowing, that toilets aren't left unflushed and that any maintenance issues are rapidly communicated to facilities maintenance staff for repair.
Depending on the size and scope of the facility and the restroom, advanced cleaning technologies, such as vacuum scrubbers with disinfectant sprayers, can significantly reduce the amount of time and labor resources necessary to deep clean the area.
Team cleaning is especially beneficial in larger facilities with multiple restrooms that must be deep cleaned nightly.
Regardless of what method proves best for your facility, always communicate those efforts to the occupants.
According to Jon Dommisse, Director of Strategy and Corporate Development for Bradley Corp.;
Increasingly, our survey underscores that clean restrooms attract business.
Even posting and maintaining a cleaning schedule in restrooms helps reassure customers the facility is clean.
Over half who have observed such a schedule say it makes them feel more positive about the business.
Takeaway
Before the onset of COVID-19, restrooms were universally cited as significant pain points for facility occupants and business owners due to challenges regarding:
- Facility maintenance and functionality.
- Cleanliness, and;
- Odors.
With the widely published findings regarding the role public restrooms play in the spread of coronavirus variants, including SARS-CoV-2, potential consumers are more likely than ever to be highly selective where they choose to shop and spend their money.
Businesses that demonstrate and communicate that they care about the health, safety, and welfare of their workforce and patrons will almost certainly fare well.
Those who do not are likely to struggle in the long run, if not worse.
Outsourcing your facilities' restroom deep cleaning and day porter services to an experienced service provider is a proven method for onboarding critical and in-demand services for a fraction of the cost of maintaining a similar service level in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield, CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno, CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale, CA or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756
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