Dead Zones: A New Threat Spreading Infection; An IIT Bombay Study States

The spread of COVID-19 has caused the world to continuously identify threats to human health on a micro-level; to add to it, an IIT Bombay study coined the term “Dead Zones.” These dead zones pose an unknown health risk, as they can spread infectious diseases, and the problem is that they are only a short distance away from us.   

This complete study is about the effect of recirculation zones on the ventilation of a public washroom; it was conducted for the Journal Physics of Fluids by IIT Bombay’s aerospace engineering department. According to the study, even in a washroom with adequate ventilation, there are some areas where fresh air cannot easily reach. As a result, the air in that corner begins to circulate, allowing bacteria, germs, and viruses to stay longer.   

Simply put, whenever you go out to a movie or dinner and use a public washroom, you run the risk of contracting various types of viral infections. So don’t worry, no need to say “NO” to any dinner invitation or skip the movie of your favorite star (Nobody wants to 😁), because whenever there is a problem, there is a solution too.  

How Are Dead Zones Risky for the Health? 

People might initially consider dead zones as a minor problem, but once they learn that these zones can cause bacterial and viral infections, such as COVID-19, they will be shocked.

The same thing happened when I presented the term “dead zones” to one of my friends. Initially, he thought these zones were similar to the ones where mobile networks can’t reach 😂. Being a traveler, this is what came to his mind after listening to this term (As the travelers use the word “dead zones” for remote areas, where the mobile network doesn’t work).

After knowing that dead zones can affect his health, my traveler friend showed curiosity to learn more about it; Also, he wanted a solution to tackle this threat, as he often uses public washrooms while traveling. I’m sure you’re curious as well, so let’s dig a little deeper.

Ventilation And Circulation: Know the Difference  

Before I shocked my traveler friend with the infectious diseases caused by recirculation zones, he surprised me by saying that he is unaware of the difference between ventilation and circulation 😅. It’s not a big deal; everyone is perplexed, so I explained the differences first.  

Ventilation means replacing the stale air with fresh. On the other hand, circulation implies that something is rotating in the same place, and in the particular instance of “air circulation,” it means that fresh air is not reaching and stale air is circulating.  

Our surroundings are bacteria-free thanks to ventilation, and we have adequate ventilation in our workplaces and homes. However, despite proper ventilation systems, some spaces are still inaccessible to fresh air; this causes air circulation creating new dead zones. As a result, air containing bacteria and viruses circulate in some areas, and these spaces can be anywhere from offices to households.  

Infectious Diseases Caused by Dead Zones  

Dead zones can cause airborne diseases due to viruses, bacteria, and germs lying for ten times longer. Viral infection, liver infection, lung infection, and skin infection are just a few infections that can occur in dead zones. Following are some infectious diseases caused by dead zones.  

• COVID  
• Influenza  
• Common Cold  
• Chicken Pox   
• Tuberculosis  
• Cholera  
• Pneumonia  

Tackle the Dead Zones  

Knowing the dangers, my friend said he uses well-ventilated public washrooms while traveling. Maybe you’re thinking the same thing, but the study says the dead zones are still there to bother you.  

There are two ways to tackle the dead zones: the first one is for the authority who is managing public washroom, and the second way is for the individual level.   

1. Precautions That the Study Implies

Going with the first one, the authority managing public washrooms needs to take care of a few things to tackle with the dead zones. According to the IIT Bombay study, the following precautions can help us tackle dead zones in public washrooms.   

  ❂ Figure Out Dead Zones  

 ❂ Use Additional Fans 

 ❂ Use Natural Ventilation  

2. Disinfection: A Simple Way to Tackle  

My traveler friend is still concerned because he can’t expect public washrooms to follow the IIT Bombay study’s recommended precautions. However, he is correct because modifying ventilation systems (adding more fans) or obtaining sufficient natural air inside public washrooms in enclosed spaces is not easy.  

He wants a feasible and easy solution, and the best solution is disinfection. Even public restrooms can use disinfection to combat dead zones that spread infectious diseases.  Find Natural Disinfectant  

✶Find Natural Disinfectant

On the other hand, finding a natural disinfectant is essential because public restrooms will be used by people of various ages, sensitivities, and health issues. A chemical-based disinfectant can harm many people, we need HOCl-based disinfectant products so that everyone can use the toilet safely.   

My friend finally has got the right solution in his hands😊. He’s not sure if public restrooms will help with dead zones, but he can bring a protection shield.  

 He can’t stop himself from traveling, going to the movies, shopping, dining, and so on, and all of these activities necessitate the use of public toilets at some point. As a result, he has decided to carry a natural disinfectant product to use a germ-free toilet and avoid contracting any infectious diseases.

Pankaj Rai