It feels almost since the conception of the modern toilet men have been berated for leaving the toilet seat up – No more!

The latest research suggest that it’s no longer a male thing, or even occasionally a female thing, but more of a health issue.

In fact, according to COSMOS an investigation has determined that leaving the loo lid open after flushing might disperse contaminated droplets up to 1.5 metres, and these particles could hang around for up to 30 minutes.

Not only that, but it’s also been found that the number of particles expelled by a toilet flush is equivalent to a person talking loudly for just over six-and-a-half minutes – the true definition of a potty mouth.

Here’s the new standard. Put the toilet lid down! As well as the seat, because leaving the lid up when flushing could lead to bacterial and viral transmission.

It sounds like the wisdom of a germaphobe, but it’s one of the findings in a new global review, published in Science of the Total Environment. The review determined that leaving the loo lid open after flushing might disperse contaminated droplets up to 1.5 metres, and these particles could hang around for up to 30 minutes.

Want more? Listen to one of our favourite moments from Max & Ali in the Morning – Tune in weekdays from 6AM on Mix102.3!