Expert: Carol Schlitt - 9/30/2007

Question
Hi Carol,
If this question is not in your area of expertise, please tell me who to contact.
My husband thinks it's a waste of water to flush after he urinates, so he doesn't flush. (lol) Therefore his urine may sit there until I need to use the bathroom and flush.  The odor can get pretty strong sometimes.
Can you tell me if those strong odors mean bacteria in the air?
Also should you put the lid down before you flush to prevent bacteria from being emitted into the air?  
I know this is kind of a gross topic.  
Thanks much,

Janice


Answer
Hi Janice,

Oh husbands....

Amazingly, urine is relatively sterile. The strong odor of urine is caused by urea - an ammonia compound.

The strong odor does not mean bacteria in the air but the concentration of the ammonia compounds.  Most people do not like the smell of this in their homes and flush the toilet to keep the bathroom smelling fresh and clean. Closing the toilet is not necessary for keeping the air clean. If that were so, all public toilets would have to have lids that would shut before flushing (most public washrooms are lid-free).

Other than being a smelly situation, leaving urine in the toilet bowl is not unsafe. You may want to look into a water saving toilet that would satisfy both of your desires -- his for using less water and yours for having a better smelling bathroom!

Carol