title: The Waterless Portable Private Toilet: An Innovative Sanitation Solution in Disaster Zones.
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.
authors.affiliation: 1Ministry of Public Safety and Security,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yongkyun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,Seoul National University,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Shervin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,Seoul National University,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mooyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: 3Integrated Research Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering,Seoul National University,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tschungil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: 4School of Civil and Environmental Engineering,Yonsei University,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Gyoo
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Sohn
mesh_terms: D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D012499:Sanitation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000592:standards*
keywords: disaster; sustainable sanitation; waterless portable private toilet