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According to a Harvard scientist, toilet paper is too dangerous for health

byMelissa Hekkers
|
25 Apr 2025 07h37
a pile of white toilet paper sitting next to each other
© Unsplash

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we easily recall the empty shelves that once held toilet paper rolls, and how it became a precious commodity. Today, the renowned Harvard University warns about its dangers.

A staple hygiene product, toilet paper is found in every household. However, it appears that this item presents numerous health risks, according to a study published by a Harvard scientist.

A deadly bacteria

The study outright recommends stopping the use of toilet paper... But what would be the alternative? While scientists highlight our dangerous exposure to many bacteria through the use of toilet paper, they also provide solutions to prevent infections.

As reported by the media Demotivateur, the use of toilet paper is linked to the spread of the bacterium Clostridium difficile, a bacterium causing diarrhoea and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. In the United States, nearly 500,000 people contract this bacterium each year, resulting in between 15,000 and 30,000 deaths annually.

What alternatives?

Researchers propose the solution of using a bidet, which would significantly reduce the risk of infection. In France, for example, there's an increase in sales of BOKU bidet toilets. Furthermore, scientists at Harvard University stress the importance of choosing the right toilet paper. “For example, single-ply toilet paper is more abrasive to the skin and can cause open wounds, thus increasing the risk of infection.”



(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Demotivateur - Illustration: ©Unsplash)

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