MICROBIAL AIR QUALITY OF TOILET ENVIRONMENT

MICROBIAL AIR QUALITY OF TOILET ENVIRONMENT

1.0 BEGINNING

A toilet is a type of sanitary appliance that is used to store or dispose of human urine and feces. Oxford Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1997). Different types of porcelain flush toilets are widespread in industrialized countries. Seats are more frequent in the West, while squat toilets are more common in East Asia. In most urban areas, these are connected to the sewage system, but in less densely populated regions, they are connected to septic tanks.

Toilets are another type of public facility that is commonly used by people and is placed indoors. In recent years, scientists and the general public have expressed worry about the indoor air quality in toilet systems. Several studies have revealed that interior air pollution levels are higher than outdoor air pollution levels (USEPA, 2001). Thus, the health risks posed by interior air pollution are greater than those posed by outside air pollution. As a result, maintaining appropriate air quality in the toilet is critical for keeping it clean and sanitary. This is consistent with Wike’s stance that “the first step in creating a healthier and safer environment is the washroom.” Mold and bacteria spores can become airborne in an environment and are hence widespread. They can penetrate indoor places through ventilation systems. The relative humidity and/or moisture content of the materials determine how well certain microorganisms may grow inside. (Dhanasekaran and colleagues, 2009).

These can inflict devastation, negative health impacts, and offensive scents. As a result, the purpose of microbiological examinations is to distinguish between normal indoor bacteria and those that can cause health problems (Madukasi et al., 2010).

Microorganism air sampling is a popular way of conducting microbiological investigations because it allows for direct toxicological evaluation. Talking, sneezing, coughing, and flushing the toilet can all cause airborne biological particulate matter and occasionally release spores of Altenaria, Aspergillus, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Scopulariopsis (Maeir et al., 2002).

Indoor air pollution can be as bad as outside air pollution and cause a wide range of health concerns.