Electrochemical Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide for Disinfection of Toilet Bowl Seal Water
Bacteria and microorganisms in toilets can enter the air via aerosol plumes generated during flushing, posing potential health risks. This study evaluates the feasibility of electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for household toilet disinfection. Disinfection experiments showed that at H2O2 concentrations of 50–200 mg·L−1, bacteria in toilet bowl seal water were completely inactivated within 4–24 h without generating harmful disinfection by-products. By installing a gas diffusion electrode in the toilet tank and utilizing oxygen from air to electrochemically synthesize H2O2 in situ, the total bacterial count in the seal water was reduced by more than 90% during normal toilet use, thereby lowering the risk of disease transmission via toilet aerosols. The results suggest that electrochemical H2O2 synthesis offers a safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly disinfection method for household toilets.