Human feces: Encyclopedia II - Human feces - Feces disposal

Human feces - Feces disposal

Main articles: Toilet, Latrine, Sewage.

The problem of efficient feces disposal existed since the times when people started to live in permanent settlements, primarily for the reasons of cleanliness and odor. Toilets were known in ancient India (dated as early as 2,500 BCE), in Ancient Rome, Egypt and China.

Over time it has become clear that the disposal of feces is an issue of hygiene, since feces contribute to spreading of diseases and intestinal parasites. It is a matter of attention and education in developing countries.

Until about the end of the 19th century, the primary concern of sewage collection and disposal was to remove waste away from inhabited places, and it was common to use waterflows and larger bodies of water as a destination of sewage, where waste could be naturally dissipated and neutralized. With the increased population density this is no longer a viable solution, and special processing of sewage is required. The lack of the latter is a grave sanitary problem in developing countries.

Human feces - Tourism

Nature reserve organizations, parks, and tourist agencies often issue regulations for tourists aimed at the prevention of the pollution of the nature. In particular, catholes (cat holes), i.e., pits for feces, must be located at a reasonable distance (at least 60 m) from water sources (rivers, lakes, etc.), to avoid possible bacterial contamination of water via precipitation, as well as away from trails. For faster feces decomposition, organic soil is preferred for a mineral (sandy) one. It is also recommended to avoid concentration of catholes around campsites. Filled catholes must be covered with a reasonably thick layer of soil, to prevent access by animals, some of which are coprophagous.

Some areas require special instructions on human waste disposal. In rocky places, with the absence of soil, it is advised to spread feces thinly by smearing over rocks with good sun access for faster sterilization by UV radiation and drying. In larger snow fields, a larger distance (e.g., 200 m) from trails and campsites may be mandated, if the waste is being disposed under snow.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Feces disposal", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki