Study Confirms Flush Plume Is Dangerous—AcornVac Avoids!

A new scientific study from the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) reveals the shocking impact of commercial toilets. Published in Scientific Reports, and covered by Fox News on Dec. 12 and 13, this research demonstrates how commercial toilets spread E. coli, SARS-COV-2, influenza, norovirus, and other infectious diseases simply by being flushed.

AcornVac, Inc., has long been aware of the dangers of the flush plume—and all the way back in 2012, we set out to prove that our products were safer and more sanitary than the competition. We commissioned a test from NSF International to compare the flush of an AcornVac® toilet against those of commercial cistern-style and flushometer toilets. Our video illustrating the NSF test results echoes the findings of the CU study, showing a large flush plume emanating from a commercial toilet. However, when the AcornVac toilet is flushed, there is no plume at all. As described in the NSF International test report, “the two AcornVac vacuum toilets had non-detectable levels of overspray,” unlike the cistern and flushometer toilets.

According to a writeup from CU Boulder Today, the CU study “is the first study to directly visualize the resulting aerosol plume and measure the speed and spread of particles within it.” That means that for the first time, there is quantifiable data showing just how far the aerosolized flush plume can travel. These unsanitary flush plumes carry all sorts of undesirable germs and bacteria into the air, where they land on nearby surfaces and can be carried out of the restroom.

With so many harmful germs and bacteria in the world, it’s more critical than ever to take every safety precaution possible when it comes to minimizing their spread. An AcornVac vacuum plumbing system should be a core component to every healthy building, and a key component in minimizing disease spread.

Access all of this coverage, and more, in our convenient media folder. Download now to share with your contacts.