Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-q6k6v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-11T17:26:36.006Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Waterless Portable Private Toilet: An Innovative Sanitation Solution in Disaster Zones

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2016

Yongkyun Kim ,
Shervin Hashemi ,
Mooyoung Han ,
Tschungil Kim  and
Hong-Gyoo Sohn
Yongkyun Kim
Affiliation:
Ministry of Public Safety and Security, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Shervin Hashemi
Affiliation:
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Mooyoung Han*
Affiliation:
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tschungil Kim
Affiliation:
Integrated Research Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Hong-Gyoo Sohn
Affiliation:
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Mooyoung Han, PhD, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea (e-mail: myhan@snu.ac.kr).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Catastrophes can occur without warning and inevitably cause short-term and long-term problems. In disaster zones, having an action plan to alleviate difficulties can reduce or prevent many long-lasting complications. One of the most critical and urgent issues is sanitation. Water, energy, personnel, transportation, and the allocation of resources in disaster areas tend to become very limited during emergencies. Sanitation systems suffer in the process, potentially leading to crises due to unsafe and unhygienic surroundings. This article explores the problems of current sanitation practices in disaster areas and identifies the essential characteristics of sustainable sanitation systems. This study also presents a plan for an innovative and sustainable sanitation system using a waterless, portable, private toilet, in addition to a procedure for collecting and disposing waste. The system is agronomic, is socially acceptable, prevents contact with human waste, and can be used for individuals or families. Environmental pollution and social problems (such as sexual harassment) can be reduced both during and after restoration. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:281–285)

Keywords

disastersustainable sanitationwaterless portable private toilet
Type
Concepts in Disaster Medicine
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , April 2016 , pp. 281 - 285
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Quarantelli, EL. What is a Disaster? A Dozen Perspectives on the Question. London: Routledge; 1998.Google Scholar
2. Bankoff, G, Frerks, G, Hilhorst, D. Mapping Vulnerability: Disasters, Development and People. London: Routledge; 2004.Google Scholar
3. Morella, E, Foster, V, Banerjee, S. Climbing the Ladder: The State of Sanitation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank; 2008.Google Scholar
4. Rechaigl, JE, MacKinnon, HC. Agricultural Uses of By-Products and Wastes. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society; 1997.Google Scholar
5. Tayler, K, Parkinson, J, Colin, J. Urban Sanitation: A Guide to Strategic Planning. London: ITDG Publishing; 2003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Uscher-Pines, L. Health effects of relocation following disasters: a systematic review of literature. Disasters. 2009;33:1-22.Google Scholar
7. McCrory, DF, Hobbs, PJ. Additives to reduce ammonia and odor emissions from livestock wastes. J Environ Qual. 2001;30:345-355.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. M 7.8 – 36 km E of Khudi, Nepal. Earthquake Hazards Program. United States Geological Survey (USGS) Website. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us20002926#general_summary. Accessed September 10, 2015.Google Scholar