Reducing the water flow from taps in hospitals and public spaces to save on water could actually increase the risk of bacteria and viruses spreading, a new study has warned
A new study has raised concerns about a hidden risk in hospitals and public spaces – germs spreading through ‘splash back’ from handwashing sinks.
The team of scientists discovered that the speed of water flow from taps could significantly impact the spread of bacteria and viruses in high-risk settings, potentially increasing the risk of infection.
With plenty of research showing that our sinks are a haven for dangerous bacteria, the findings suggest our handwashing basins may be doing more harm than we realise.
The team at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia revealed that while reducing water flow to save on water might be the eco-friendly thing to do, it could actually increase the chances of airborne germs spreading from sinks, potentially exacerbating the spread of bacteria and viruses.
When water flows at lower rates, more harmful microbes are sent back up into the air from the drain, posing a hidden risk to those nearby, the research suggests. The study aimed to look at how plumbing design affects infection control, but its findings could also apply to our home sinks, especially considering previous research has found more harmful bacteria in residential sinks than hospitals.
The study’s senior author, Professor Harriet Whiley, stated: “These results highlight the complex relationship between plumbing design and infection control. By optimising design elements like aerators and flow rates, we may be able to reduce infection risks, but further research is needed to identify the safest and most effective configurations.”
A previous investigation by the same team at Flinders University examined biofilms – thin, slimy layers of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces – found on taps and drains in both hospital and residential settings. The researchers discovered that residential sinks, particularly drains, harboured higher levels of certain harmful bugs, including bacteria that cause illnesses such as pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease, and wound infections.
“Residential handbasins have a more diverse bacterial community present on handbasin biofilms compared with hospitals,” said Dr Whiley, who also contributed to the previous study. “There was also a higher number of Legionella bacteria present in the residential samples compared with those taken from hospitals.”
This research serves as a stark reminder that the design of our sinks, both in healthcare settings and at home, could play a crucial role in the spread of harmful bacteria, reports the Manchester Evening News. With norovirus infections – the winter vomiting bug that spreads in the air, through food or on surfaces – reaching an all-time high in England, it’s crucial to consider how and where we wash our hands.
You might want to reconsider running your tap with a low flow – it could be spreading more germs than you think, according to a study published in the journal Building and Environment.