COVID-19 transmission risks associated with environmental contamination in workplace and public toilets

COVID-19 transmission risks associated with environmental contamination in workplace and public toilets
COVID-19 shines a light on the challenges of controlling infectious disease transmission in society and has raised numerous questions around how our infrastructure contributes to the risk of infection. Sanitation is one area where there are known risks for a number of infections and where there is potentially a link with COVID-19 risks. The risks are thought to result from aerosolisation of pathogens from toilets which may pose a direct inhalation/ingestion risk or a risk via contaminated surfaces. Studies have measured microoganisms in air and on surfaces from a sanitation source, but there is very little assessment of the fluid dynamic mechanisms involved or the quantification of risk from air or surface exposure.
This project brings together experimental studies measuring particles and biological aerosols, computational fluid dynamics modelling of aerosol dispersion from toilets, and infection risk modelling to evaluate the design and user behaviour parameters that determine risk of transmission. The project considers risks posed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 as well as other pathogens. The project will contribute to understanding of how sanitation systems and services contribute to risk of disease and a risk assessment approach that is robust.