Close that Lid
Dear students and friends,
This is important for you health. I would like to share with you an email that Albert sent to me recently about toilet bowls. Most of us do not flush the toilet bowl with the lid down. A group of scientist conducted an experiment to see the effects of flushing with the lid up… and with the lid down.
Carefully view the video below… Will your toilet be contaminated with bacteria from the waste you just expelled??
Keep your toilets clean for the safety of yourself, your children and pets…
Tsem Rinpoche
Discovery Channel graphically show you the distribution of your toilet bowl content after a flush.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/discovery-toilet-flush.mp4
Flushing the toilet with the lid up “can spread germs”
London, Jan 4 (PTI) The next time after you answer nature”s call, make sure to close the lavatory lid before you flush, for a new study says that watering the toilet with its lid up can spread germs like the winter vomiting bug.
A team at Leeds University says leaving the lid up can allow a cloud of bacteria to explode into the air, settling on nearby surfaces. This also increases the risk of viruses like the winter vomiting bug of transmitting to another person.
“It is very clear from our work that the lid is there for a reason,” Prof Mark Wilcox, who led the team, was quoted by the ”Daily Mail” as saying.
For the study, researchers conducted an experiment to see how using a toilet lid could affect the spread of disease, specifically in hospitals.
They used a sterilised toilet cubicle and created a ”diarrhoea effect” in the bowl using stool samples that had been infected with the hospital superbug C. difficile. They found C diff was transported up to 10 inches above the toilet seat when it was open and a reduced rate was still detected in the air up to 90 minutes later.
When the lid was closed, no C. difficile was recovered on any surface, but when it was open it was found on the cistern, to the right and left of the toilet seat and on the floor.
Professor Wilcox said: “We then put vegetable colour dye in the water bowl, lifted the lid and put cling film over the toilet seat. After we flushed the toilet we found it sprayed a large amount. By placing the film onto filter paper we found that the toilet could spray up to 50 droplets per flush.”
He added that their research also had wider implications, saying, “It would be prudent if there is a lid to put it down after flushing. This contains smells and droplets that can become aerolised. Some bugs spread more easily to surfaces this way and the norovirus is thought to be one of them.
“Our advice — put down the lid if it”s there and wash your hands afterwards.” PTI MOT
Source: http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5724854
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Wow ….not many people know about this. It’s something new for me too. Glad I found this old post with lots of information why its important why we should close our toilet bowls when flushing.
When we flush with the lid up, our toilet shoots out tiny water particles mixed with waste . It seems that these particles could contain harmful bacteria landing on surfaces everywhere such as toilet walls, lids and door knots. Closing the lid reduces the spread of droplets.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this.
This is a very good demonstration on how important it is to close that lid. We are often not aware of how we put our health at risk and it is such an easy move to close the lid and avoid contamination of our environment.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this hygienic tip. I’m sure not many people knows about this.Learnt something new today 🙂
I’ve known very few people who have the habit of closing the toilet seat lid when flushing. I think when it comes to public toilet, people try to not touch anything if they can help it so closing toilet seat lid is another contact. At home with personal toilets people assume it’s “clean” because it’s mostly personal use.
For me I’m usually wary when I walked into a toilet with the lid closed because I’m thinking do I want to open and discover what’s underneath specially with public toilet sometimes you wish you never opened that lid. Keeping the lid open when flushing in a way ensure the toilet is flushed clean before you exit. So I guess if one do start practicing closing the toilet seat lid when flushing, it should also be accompanied by opening the seat lid again after flushing is done. This serves to ensure the toilet has been flushed clean and also confidence for the next person who enters.
Toilets are so germ filled it’s ridiculous lol. I did an experiment at university to see whether the bathroom door handle had more germs or my hair strand and my hair strand was dirtier. Ew and lol.
Now only I knows about this, that flushing the toilet with the lid up, can spread germs.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post and care.
OMB! I never knew. I do not think I will EVER use another public toilet again!
Goes to show how much we know or how much we do not know. However whatever the case may be it does not change the fact that, the truth or the fact remains unchanged given our knowledge of it.
Hence I would relate it to karma and how karma exist whether we choose to believe in it or not…
I know it is rather strange to equate the toilet to karma but hey it is samsara and samsara should be a constant reminder of karma!
It is very disgusting to know the truth about flushing the toilet bowl while germs exploded and spread to our stuffs near the toilet bowl, that means I have been eating own poo for 12years but luckily the thing that saved me from eating my poo for the last 2 years is my when my sister told me that there is such thing so I from that day onwards I never left the toilet without closing the lid. Thanks SIS for telling me about this kind of stuff.
I didn’t knew about this before. I don’t know why, but when I was small I used to have a really weird habit—watching the water flushes itself out. It’s just weird. This article really blew my mind out, I have no idea that flushing without lids will bring us so many problems and it’s also very unhygienic. Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Love, beatrix.
Thanks Rinpoche and Albert for sharing.
This is very informative and em….lesson learned: I will close the lid next time…. 😛
I wonder if we do not use the toilet flush system, but we pour in water to do the manual ‘flushing’, will it be better? In that way we can use save water (by using water that we use for washing clothes, etc) too.
… that’s it, that’s it!! My toilet bowl lid is going to be down everytime I flush!! And I’m never using my laptop or phone in the toilet ever again! How nasty.
Thinking about it, it’s ingenious that in some hotels they have the a separate small room just for the toilet bowl.
I’m really shocked at how far the bacteria can spread. Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing with us this useful fact 🙂
This so interesting. And I always thought it is the other way around. How stupid! And all this while, I have been brushing those icky stuff into my body. This is something that we should let people know and educate the need for it. I would… Thank you for the information Rinpoche and Albert.
Thank you Rinpoche, for ever caring for us. Rinpoche’s love for us is really special and immense and all encompassing.
But this is the other end of the spectrum here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8Qt95KUOX_8
Somehow since young I always have this habit of closing the toilet bowl lid everytime after i’ve used it. After watching an episode of Mythbusters about how far the germs/bacteria could travel when flushed further reinforces me to do so! i shudder at the thought of those air borne germs lingering on my toothbrush which will be in my mouth everyday!! OMB!
Bacteria and germ are every where no matter how careful or clean we are, what we could do to prevent illness resulting from these germs are to be mindful and be clean at all times. Having a healthy life enables us to do more Dharma therefore taking us another step closer to Enlightenment!
Thank you dear Rinpoche for sharing!
Thank you Rinpoche and Albert for sharing this information. On the spiritual side, by closing the lid each time we flush can be a practice on mindfulness. Rinpoche’s blog has many information articles besides the Dharmic ones.
Interesting. When I was living abroad, I noticed that every time I entered the washroom, the toilet lid was down. I always lifted the lid with slight trepidation, hoping not to find a surprise waiting for me. I never realised that the lid was down for hygiene purposes.
Whereas, over here in Malaysia, a closed lid always meant something didnt flush properly, and open lids are considered better as we can see what is waiting for us. Hehe 🙂
I shall start implementing this in my office!
wow i never knew this! but now i am definitely flushing with the lid down!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, it makes sense to close the toilet lid when flushing the waste.
This is very informative. Thanks for sharing, Rinpoche. I guess I leave up the lid due to habituation and laziness as I want to get off the toilet as soon as I finish. Hahaha. I would be so cool to have a toilet that can filter out bacteria before you flush.
I never knew about this all the while, thanks for the sharing Rinpoche. Gonna show my parents this video.
Since this is to keep our toilets clean for the safety of ourselves, i’ll make a habit to close the lid when flushing to prevent the germs from spreading.
Thank you Rinpoche & Albert sharing. This is a important knowledge for us to know and remember – CLOSE THE LID BEFORE FLUSHING! Very informative and interesting 🙂
没想到这么平凡－上厕所做“生意”可以有那么多知识！
谢谢仁波切。
To me, this can be a minor issue but yet so important in our daily life!
Thank you for sharing this.
I normally dont close the lid cos I like to see everything flushed out and not leave any souvenirs. I guess now will just have to close it and reopen to double check. 🙂
I learnt something new today.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
Never thought of this before and this definitely a great and healthy practice.
Will be a great sharing to others.
Gosh, I never close the lid when I flushed. Will be more mindful and close the toilet lid now whenever I flush! Thank you, Rinpoche and Albert, for sharing this information.
Rinpoche in all respect is not only caring, sharing and a truly concerned guru for all his students and friends alike, even for animals. As what this new study says that watering the toilet with its lid up can spread germs like the winter-vomiting bug; a superbug C.Diff called “Clostridium Difficile” in long form, which releases toxins that can cause 500,000 cases of infected diarrhea diesease last year in USA, and it is now picked up in the wider community as muchas in hospitals. Thank you Rinpoche, for youe usual kind concern and deep compassion in warning us of such calamity!i
Rinpoche in all respects is not only caring, sharing and a truly concerned guru for all his students and friends alike including animals. As what this new study says that watering the toilet with its lid up can spread germs like the winter-womiting bug; a superbug C.Diff called “Clostridium Difficile” in long form, which releases toxins that cause 500,000 cases of infected Diarrhea diesease last year in USA, and it is now picked up in the wider community as much as in hospitals. Thank you, Rinpoche for your usual kind concern and deep compassion in warning us of such calamity!
我说啊，我们都忽略了周边的小细节，说真的，以前一般上盖着冲水的习惯，是为了不让异味散发出来，哈哈。当然要谢谢Albert 的细心和大家分享这样的讯息。
Thanks Rinpoche and Albert for sharing this informative information.
This has become a habitual or is a must, for me and my kids to close the lid after used. But didn’t know that the toilet can be contaminated with so much of bacteria. This information will benefit lots of people. I will share with my friends.
To have a good habit like closing the toilet lid or cover our mouth while we sneeze is definitely something good. Simple but worth doing.
And Swee Keong just shared with us on blog chat top six places with the most germs, and they are more dirtier than a toilet (http://amoralcompass.blogspot.com/2009/08/6-things-dirtier-than-toilet-other-than.html) .
You can’t imagine our computer keyboard, money and soap are some of them…
This is quite funny and truth we should all know. I always flush my toilet with the seat up thinking it is better and more hygienic for everyone. Well, now I know better…
Goodness, if our own toilets could be so infective, just imagine public toilets!
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this article. The habit of closing the lid will improve everyone general health who are staying together. I have noticed certain toilets have very powerful flushing power. The water actually splashed out, and I have to stand back from being hit by the water. Unknowingly the bacterias have fly out together with the vapor of the splash. I use toilet every day but I never use my common sense to check my action. 🙂
i drink my pee so no problem
and make sure the brown stuff stays inside
If we lay over toothbrush and shaver all around the basin without keeping it properly plus if we don’t close the lid before flushing we are brushing and shaving with poo and pee… XP (mental note: will close the lid before flushing, and keep away all brushes) A big thank you, Rinpoche for sharing this information 🙂
Oh my! Never occur to me that all these droplets of these many bacterias could be spewing around after we are done. This video has shown it all! Looks like it is important that we close the lid before we flush!
I watched this Video last night and I thought eew. But today I have used the toilet many times and did I close the lid when I flush…NO..I did not. Interesting itsn’t it? So why didn’t I? Perhaps a) I didn’t truly believe, b) I actually couldn’t care less about the bacteria, c) I didn’t get the importance of the matter, d) I’m simply forgetful or e) it’s simply not easy to kick our habituation. Dharma lesson here – we should never underestimate the power of habituation and it goes to say just knowing something doesn’t achieve nothing unless we put our knowledge to practice.
When I walked into a toilet, i would avoid one with the lid down because I would not want to open the lid and worst still, do not know if the person before me flushed properly! After reading this, I know why people would close the lid. If it is proven to be more hygienic, why not? Thank you for sharing Rinpoche.
It never occur to me that it is important to close the lid of the toilet seat and its implications, especially after we puke or vomit. I like this video and will share it for educational purpose. Thank you.
Gosh…i never close the lid flushing. this is really good information and should share with other how to prevent themself from bacteria .
LOL this is so random but important. Gives a whole new meaning to women whingeing about men not putting the toilet seat down!
Oh! this is very interesting especially for those who do not flush after using it. Thanks for sharing
I read about this years ago and when I first knew about it, I feel like: aiyo, how could I not knowing this! And I keep telling friends around me and then don’t really believe it. Never mind, I can show them this post and video now! Hehe! Thanks Rinpoche and Albert for this useful info! 🙂
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing. It is very interesting and very important messages for our health. A simple action can prevent spreading out the viruses and have more healthier to ourself and family.So do it now–“Close down the toilet lip before flushing”
You really learn all sorts of useful things on Rinpoche’s blog!!! I will definitely be closing my toilet lid now!!!
Thank youRinpoche for sharing.It is very interesting and very important messages for our health.A simple action can prevent spreading out of viruses and more healthier to ourself and family.
So do it now—“Close down the toilet lip before flushing”
thanks Rinpoche for sharing this info, i will try to change my habit from now.
Oooo…. Thank You Rinpoche & Albert to share this! HAve to make it a habit to close every time from now on. Thanks again.
Thanks for this sharing. Very interesting and informative. Could safe lots of sick days from just a simple action of closing the toilet lid when flushing. Will pass this information on to others too.
A small gesture in our daily lives could help prevent the spreading of viruses.
‘Close the lip before you flush’ – should be printed and pin on toilet doors 🙂
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing, a simple action can save us. We should share to more peoples to get their awareness about this. Thanks Albert also to let us know more and be aware…
Thank you Rinpoche and Albert for the sharing – what the purpose of close that lid.
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche. Interestingly, I always close the lid before flushing…quite instinctively. Mmm…
This is indeed very informative, and it has never crossed my mind to close the lid. 🙂