“The highest numbers of C. difficile were recovered from air sampled immediately following flushing, and then declined 8-fold after 60 [minutes] and a further 3-fold after 90 [minutes],” the researchers reported in the January issue of the Journal of Hospital Infection.

C. difficile was spotted on surrounding surfaces 90 minutes after flushing, with an average of 15 to 47 contaminated toilet water droplets landing in the nearby environment, according to the study.

“Lidless conventional toilets increase the risk of C. difficile environmental contamination, and we suggest that their use is discouraged, particularly in settings where [C. difficile infection] is common,” the authors wrote.

Although the study focused on hospital toilets, experts say the findings extend to public restrooms and households.

“Almost everywhere we go, except in some public spaces, we have lids on our commodes. But not everyone puts them down when they flush,” said Dr. William Schaffner, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Doing so will reduce this type of environmental contamination very substantially.”

A 2004 episode of Myth Busters found lidless toilets do indeed spray water onto surrounding surfaces — including toothbrushes — but concluded the health risk was negligible. In fact “control” toothbrushes removed from the restroom during the flush were also speckled with fecal bacteria.

In recent years, C. difficile infections have increased in number and severity — a trend Schaffner said might wane if more people opt to drop the lid.

“We don’t know this, but it is intriguing,” Schaffner said. “Just remember: put the lid down before you flush and always wash your hands.”

If you haven't heard, 20% of toilets leak all the time, up to 120 gallons per day, flushing up to $250/year on a municipal water bill. In case you're a visual thinker: In Canada, that's like 11 minutes of Niagara Falls of wasted drinking water. Everyday. These toilet stats should get our attention.

And so far, it seems to be working! At two weeks in, with over 120 volunteers trained and engaged, 3500 doors knocked on, and after 19 community events, The Blue Dot group learned some interesting things:

• An astonishing one in four people readily admit that they know that their toilet leaks, and yet they do nothing about it.

• The No. 1 barrier to fixing a toilet is the perception that the water in the tank is the same water that's in the bowl. We call this the "Gross Factor."  Watch for our upcoming campaign video where we dip a cup in the tank for a nice cool drink. Refreshing!

• Once people see how easy it is to diagnose and repair the vast majority of leaks (something we also teach), folks rush out to do it. Every day I'm getting emails from strangers telling me that they have fixed their flapper. If they are telling us, imagine what they are saying proudly to their friends and neighbors!

We’ll share more about this fledgling program, so stay tuned.