Public restrooms are essential – but they can also be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. In an effort to improve public hygiene, some businesses and organizations are implementing touchless restroom systems.
But what are touchless restrooms? And are they really more hygienic?
Touchless restrooms are equipped with automatic touchless flush valves, faucets, and soap dispensers. This reduces the risk of contamination as users don’t need to touch any surface. In a time when a pandemic is raging, touchless restrooms may seem like a good idea.
Though there is no evidence to suggest that they are any more hygienic than traditional restrooms, many are seeing the advantages of touchless restroom systems in decreasing the spread of bacteria and viruses.
The Pandemic and Public Health
As the world deals with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health leaders and governments are discussing the role of sanitation systems in protecting public health.
Many public sanitation systems are not up to the task. They are not designed to prevent close contact among large volumes of people sharing the same public spaces and facilities.
A safe and reliable sanitation system can prevent large-scale outbreaks, but this means investing more money in improving current sanitation systems. Many businesses are now exploring touchless sensor systems in public facilities.
Touchless Toilets
When it comes to preventing the spread of disease, touchless toilets and sinks can be a valuable tool. By using sensor-activated faucets, toilets, and soap dispensers, the spread of germs and viruses can be reduced.
Toilets that have touchless flush valves and sinks are especially important in healthcare settings. It’s critical in these places to prevent spread of infection. But they can also be used in any public setting, such as schools, office buildings, hotels, and other commercial establishments.
Public toilets are often hotbeds of bacteria and viruses. In fact, research has shown that flush handles in public toilets can harbor up to 83 different types of bacteria per square inch. They carry the same number of bacteria found in public toilet floors, as most people flush with their feet.
Touchless flush systems can help improve hygiene in public toilets by reducing the risk of cross-contamination. When users don’t have to touch the flush handle, they are less likely to spread bacteria and viruses around the restroom.
UV Ray Technology
The use of UV ray technology for disinfection in public toilets is a growing trend in the fight against bacteria and viruses. UV lamps and machines light to kill germs and bacteria on surfaces, making them a great way to keep public toilets clean and safe.
Though UV rays are largely non-toxic and natural, excessive exposure can increase the risk for developing cancer. But this also makes it an ideal tool to disinfect materials and equipment in schools, hospitals, restaurants and hotels.
