Abstract 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 COMPLETE B 100 MG TIMED REL. 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 Baby One-Pieces 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.