I've wondered the same, though I can also tell you that for 5 years now I've been LITERALLY right next to my boys while they v* into a bucket and I've never caught it. Seriously, I think your mouth needs to be right next to it to catch the airborne droplets. I think the amount of particles, as you were saying, depends on the amount of v*. I doubt the little bit that you're talking about has much, though there's enough to make you ill, so I wouldn't suggest touching it! My kid's pediatrician has same the same as the previous poster, it's ONLY airborne when it's coming out and the spray isn't that far (think of if you spill a cup into a bowl, the spread of droplets is the same), don't think of it as going all over the room as that's not the case. You're safe!