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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: [email protected]).
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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 

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