Door handles in public toilets
09-May-2008
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Door handles in public toilets

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The worst toilet in Scotland?

We all have had to use a public toilet (restroom) at some time or other and have probably come across an example like the one in the film Trainspotting aptly named 'The worst toilet in Scotland'.

However in this article I hope to show you that even in the cleanest public loo there is a serious design flaw that even if it isn't a health risk, is guaranteed to turn your stomach if you think about it too much.

Doors usually open into a room and this feels right and has always been the way.  For example you walk into your house through the front door and you generally open a door and walk into your bedroom.

The door on your toilet quite often swings inwards as well, although this is not always the case as my one has to be opened and that brings me right to the point that I am trying to make.  How many times have you used a toilet in somewhere such as a pub or restaurant and observed someone else walk straight out after doing their business without stopping to wash their hands?

I can't speak for female toilets, but this happens quite regularly in male toilets and especially in the toilets that are in pubs.  What bothers me most though is that the doors to these toilets are quite often of the type that you have to push to go in and then pull with a handle to leave.  This doesn't make much sense to me as it means you have to use the same handle that someone who may not have washed their hands has just used.

Toilet door handles should be on the opposite side

Wouldn't it make much more sense to have toilet doors work in such a way that you could pull a handle to go in and then push the door to exit, thus avoiding contact with door handles?

I'm not sure how feasible this would be and I suspect there is a good reason why things are the way that they are but it's just something that really bothers me.

Now wash your hands!

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hey guys do you know how many germs are on a publiic toilet seat?(not the really nasty ones just regular public toilets)
*toiletman  26-Sep-2007 00:39

 
This is totally dicusting but soo true. I just saw my crush and I told him about it. He was totally grossed out but he asked me out. I go to jwj and I live in Jacksonville Florida.
*sweet 'n' low  11-Sep-2007 15:38

 
What type of germs can you catch from not washing your hands? I have to do a poster on it for school and I have no idea! It's for tomorrow and all I can think about is samanela! Help me please!
*R  02-Sep-2007 12:40

 
Place a (clean) piece of loo roll in your hand before opening the door or take your own Dettol spray or wet wipe with you and spray the handle before contact. With most public toilets you should be thankful, a) that there was any kind of handle and b) that there was a door!
*Mr Sheen  04-Aug-2007 00:17

 
Wow this is a great place to get info fo a paper or project
*Kelley age 13  09-Apr-2007 21:34

 
My favorite breeding grounds are the public toilets at the main railway termini in London. I just love it when people have to pay 20p for what used to be free. You get a better class of customer to infect. The loos are just as filthy as they ever were with cheaper, nastier fittings. Don't put your hands down anywhere. I will jump on to them and poison you just as quick as I can. Keep them in your pockets. Don't use the basins, don't use the hand-dryers. I am everywhere.

I will cause acute gastroenteritis, bloody diarrhoea and haemorrhagic colitis. Around 10% of cases develop complications, including haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), with a 5% fatality rate. Don't you just love the statistics!
*Escherichia coli  05-Mar-2007 18:05

 
My science project consists of knowing "Which contrasts the most germs? A public water fountain or a public toilet?" It is necessary (a part of our grade that we have research. Could someone PLEASE suggest a site. Thanx
*Toilet Researcher  05-Mar-2007 14:45

 
hey all how are you all? hope you are enjoyin life bla bla bla bla I like postin these stuff
*tn  21-Feb-2007 14:15

 
There is a public toilet in Lewes high street in Sussex that is disgusting.You dont have to touch anything to get germs you just have to enter it,The smell is over powering and brings tears to your eyes.No sane person would attempt to use the toilet,I walked in then straight back out again.Its not an experience I would like to repeat.How this can be classed as a public toilet is a crime itself.Even harden criminals in a cell get a better level of hygeine and toilet facility,this would still apply even if they had a bucket etc.Hope you get my point.I think the public should complain more about public toilets nomatter where they are.We deserve better,We want better and we should insist that we get it
*bx  10-Dec-2006 21:50

 
you all need a life, if you care that much, do something about it instead of writing on a silly site moaning about it, its british life, get use to it...Please
*bob  10-Dec-2006 14:29

 
I have a neat little trick for getting out of men toilets when I see someone not washing their hands. Most toilet doors that open inwards have a door closing device above the door and if you are six foot plus like me you can pull the angle bar above the door and it will open just enough for you to get your hand around onto the other side of the door, just remember though there must be someone who has been to the toilet somewhere else today and the bacteria on his hands being very mature by now have probably been deposited on the outside of the door, perhaps you could slip your hand inside a sleeve to open the door?
*Nige  08-Dec-2006 17:31

 
New south african patent. airmatic flush. toilets, urinels and wash basins flush with out touching flush handles or taps.
*Howard pote  20-Oct-2006 21:03


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