Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
There are things that happen in this world that really make one stop and think about their actions and how their actions affect them and those around them. How do these actions affect their health and the health of their families? Perhaps making a few changes could ensure a better quality of health and life.
One of these actions is the simple task of flushing a toilet. I am sure a toilet is flushed every second in this world. However, is there a right or a wrong way to flush a toilet?
When a toilet is flushed an invisible cloud of particles is launched up to six feet into the air. This rush of bacteria, viruses and microscopic poop can rush up quite rapidly. It is called a toilet plume. If your toilet bowl is open at the time of the flush, these particles could land on your toothbrush, towel, soap, you or any other surfaces in the bathroom. Bacteria from a toilet plume has been found on floors, walls and sinks hours after flushing. Think of what is happening when you are in a public facility and all of those open toilets are being flashed simultaneously as people use the bathroom. There is a simple fix for this when you are at home. Close the lid before flushing to contain the plume. You and your family deserve that. Now, I am not quite sure how to proceed in a public bathroom, therefore I suggest avoiding it unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Another issue is whether people should take their shoes off when entering their homes and wear house only slippers or go with bare feet. A study conducted by the University of Arizona in 2008 found that tremendous amounts of bacteria, 421,000 units, cling to the bottom of shoes that have been worn outside the home. So, if you do not take your shoes off when you enter your home, you are tracking all those bacteria from all those different places you have walked. These bacteria are most concentrated in the interior entryway of your home. One note, if one has carpeting in the entryway, the colonization of bacteria can be even worse. Studies have even shown that vacuuming such areas actually make things worse by aerosolizing and spreading the bacteria and other germs.
Interior and exterior mats may help, however removing one’s shoes or wiping bare feet is a sound way to cut down the tracking of germs and bacteria into a home. Ask yourself, “What are my kids crawling or walking in daily?”
Again, consider taking those shoes off and leave them by the door. Consider whether you want your guests to track bacteria into your home. This may be awkward but the health of you and your family may be at stake.
It is my understanding that the R&B/ Pop singer Rihanna has a basket of slippers by her front door and no one is permitted to enter her home with their shoes on. Now that’s a good, hygienically sound idea.
Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.
