🚫 The Truth About Flushing: Why ZeroFlush Waterless Urinals Are a Scientific Hygiene Breakthrough
Every time you flush a urinal, an invisible cloud of bacteria is released into the air, settling on clothes, taps, door handles, and skin. A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Hospital Infection (May 2025) found that a single flush can eject up to 29.5 CFU/m³ of C. difficile into the air.
That’s a serious risk in any setting, especially in high-traffic public toilets.
💥 The Hidden Danger Lurking in Every Flush
A single flush from a traditional urinal releases a cloud of bacteria into the air—invisible to the eye, dangerous to the lungs, and persistent on surfaces.
Here’s what the science says:
A single flush from a traditional urinal releases a cloud of bacteria into the air—invisible to the eye, dangerous to the lungs, and persistent on surfaces.
Here’s what the science says:
📚 Journal of Hospital Infection:
🚽 A single flush releases up to 29.5 CFU/m³ of C. difficile bacteria into the air
🌬️ Aerosols travel up to 1.5 metres from the source
🦠 Bacteria survive hours to days on toilet seats, door handles, flush buttons, and taps—even with cleaning
⚠️ Commonly Affected Sites:
These plumes are hazardous in:
🏥 Hospitals & Clinics
🧓 Aged Care Homes
🛬 Airports
🛍️ Shopping Centres
🏫 Schools & Universities
🧬 How C. difficile Spreads Through Flushing — Proven Exposure Scenarios
To illustrate the public health risks linked to flushing, this diagram from the Journal of Hospital Infection outlines two key exposure scenarios caused by toilet plume bioaerosols:
🔬 Scenario 1: Fomite-to-Hand-to-Mouth Contact
Flushing spreads C. difficile bacteria onto surfaces. These contaminated surfaces (e.g. flush buttons, taps, door handles) are touched, transferred to the mouth via hands, and ultimately ingested.
🌬 Scenario 2: Inhalation of Bioaerosols
Airborne particles released by flushing are inhaled and ingested after they’re deposited in the respiratory tract without the person ever touching a surface.
Both transmission routes are directly linked to water-based flushing, confirming the hygienic advantage of flush-free systems like ZeroFlush.
✅ ZeroFlush Eliminates the Source of Both Risks
💧 No flushing = no aerosolisation
💨 No splashback = no airborne spread
🙌 No touchpoints = fewer transmission surfaces
ZeroFlush stops C. difficile exposure at its origin by eliminating the flush, offering a cleaner, safer public toilet solution grounded in science.
🧪 ZeroFlush: Scientifically Designed to Eliminate the Root Cause
ZeroFlush is the safer alternative, incorporating science-backed public hygiene improvements by eliminating the root cause of the problem—flushing.
Instead of managing biohazards after they spread, ZeroFlush removes the transmission mechanism entirely—no water, flushing, or bacterial plume.
🔍 Scientific Advantages of ZeroFlush Waterless Urinals
💧 No Flushing Required
— Removes the water-based plume that spreads airborne pathogens
🌿 Dry Bowl Technology
— No moisture = hostile environment for bacteria and odour-forming microbes
🔒 Patented Trap Insert with Natural Barrier Oil
— Blocks sewer gases and odours without chemicals
— Forms an airtight seal that outperforms traditional water-based systems
✋ Touch-Free Design
— No flush handles, no sensors = fewer contact points = reduced cross-contamination
📊 Graphic Breakdown: Science vs. ZeroFlush
| Feature | Traditional Urinals | ZeroFlush Waterless |
| Airborne Bacteria | ❌ Up to 29.5 CFU/m³ | ✅ 0 CFU/m³ |
| Moisture for Bacterial Growth | ✅ Present | ❌ Absent |
| Touchpoints | ❌ High (buttons, sensors) | ✅ None |
| Chemical Use | ❌ Required | ✅ Not Needed |
| Water Use | ❌ ~150,000L/year | ✅ 0 Litres |
📈 Real-World Results from Our Clients
“We moved to ZeroFlush based on the science—plume research changed our thinking. Hygiene improved immediately, and complaints stopped.”
– Infection Control Manager, NSW
“The Journal of Hospital Infection study woke us up. Flushing was spreading bacteria across our staff toilets. ZeroFlush fixed that in one install.”
– Building Services Supervisor, SA
💬 The Ethical Case: You Know the Risk. Now Act.
Now that you know the risk, you have the power to act. People delay change until the cost of doing nothing becomes too high. But the science is here, and so is the solution. You are now equipped with the knowledge to make a change.
By removing the flush, ZeroFlush eliminates the bioaerosol threat at the source. It’s not about bells and whistles. It’s about fulfilling our responsibility to protect lives, lowering operating risks, and saving water while doing it.
🚻 Purpose-Built for Australia's Public Toilets
ZeroFlush is ideal for:
🏥 Healthcare Facilities
🛫 Airports & Transit Terminals
🏫 Educational Campuses
🏘️ Aged Care Residences
🏬 Retail Centres
🏢 Government & Commercial Offices
📖 Scientific Source
Scientific Source:
Best, E. L., Sandoe, J. A. T., & Wilcox, M. H. (2024). Potential for aerosolisation of Clostridioides difficile after flushing toilets: the role of toilet lids in reducing environmental contamination risk. Journal of Hospital Infection.
⚠ Scientific Disclaimer
While the Journal of Hospital Infection study cited focused on flushing toilets, not specifically urinals, the core mechanism—water-based flushing that generates aerosolised bacteria—is identical across both systems.
The health risks and contamination levels outlined in the research are directly transferable to flushing urinals. Both rely on high-pressure water to evacuate waste, creating similar airborne bioaerosol exposure.
Our use of this research is intended to highlight the scientific validity of waterless solutions like ZeroFlush in reducing airborne pathogens in all public toilet settings.
✅ Ready to Eliminate Bacteria at the Source? Take Action: Science Says You Should
Doing nothing is a choice, but not a safe one. Our hygienic toilet solutions for public facilities are built on real research, tested in high-demand settings, and trusted by facility managers nationwide.
ZeroFlush doesn’t mask the problem—it removes it. No flush. No spray. No bacteria. No water waste.
Ready to install eco-friendly urinal technology for facilities that cut water use, maintenance, and bacteria risk?
You Know the Risk. Now Act. Science Says You Should
Ready to discuss eco-friendly urinal technology for facilities that cut water use, maintenance, and bacteria risk?
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Waterless Urinals for Public Toilets
1. Are waterless urinals hygienic enough for public toilets?
Yes. ZeroFlush eliminates the risk of airborne contamination by eliminating flushing altogether. Studies show flushing spreads C. difficile and other bacteria into the air—our waterless design prevents that from occurring.
2. Isn't the scientific study about toilets, not urinals?
Correct—the Journal of Hospital Infection study focused on flushing toilets. However, the exact flushing mechanism used in urinals also creates aerosolised plumes. The pressure-based water flow in both systems leads to similar airborne and surface contamination, making the findings highly applicable to urinal hygiene concerns.
3. How do ZeroFlush urinals prevent odours without using water?
Our Trap Insert and EnviroSeal guide urine into drainage systems while preventing unpleasant odours from escaping. The trap insert uses biodegradable barrier oil to form an airtight seal, blocking gases and smells from rising into the toilet environment without the need for chemicals or urinal cakes.
4. How much water does a ZeroFlush urinal save each year?
Each unit saves up to 150,000 litres of potable water annually, reducing costs, lowering environmental impact, and helping facilities meet sustainability targets.
5. Are they suitable for high-traffic buildings like hospitals and airports?
Absolutely. Our clients include major healthcare facilities, aged care homes, and transport terminals. ZeroFlush urinals are purpose-built for busy public toilets where hygiene, efficiency, and reliability are critical.
