Key Responsibilities for Maintaining Public Sanitation
Sanitation describes the factors that affect people's health related to drinking water and the "treatment and disposal of human faeces and sewage." By creating a sanitary environment that hinders the spread of diseases, mainly through the faecal-oral pathway, sanitation systems seek to protect human health. All the locations are crowded with people when we visit them, whether it be a market square, a park, an airport, a hospital, a theatre, a train station, or a bus stop.
Sanitation in Public Places
Bus terminals, train stations, and fairgrounds are public gathering locations where proper sanitation and hygiene facilities should be present. The government has placed sufficient restrooms and trash cans in most public areas. When offering public restrooms in areas with a large number of people, the following factors should be taken into account.
There should be sufficient restrooms with soap and hand washing facilities. In these facilities, cleanliness and hygiene should be upheld.
The number of trash cans should be sufficient. The correct and routine disposal of trash is required. It shouldn't be allowed to build up as it can draw flies and other pests.
Health and hygiene should be promoted straightforwardly and appealingly using posters, hoardings, and other types of advertising in public spaces. People should be educated on fundamental hygienic practices, including hand washing, using trash cans and restrooms, etc.
Sanitation in Rural Areas
Most people in developing and impoverished nations lack access to toilets, bathrooms, and functional drainage systems in their homes and public spaces. Approximately 70% of people in our nation are considered to be poor. There are no toilets in their residences. Both men and women use the restrooms in public.
They defecate in fields, railroad tracks, riverbeds, and vacant ground. These waste products in the open fields damage surface and groundwater when they mix with rainwater and enter the soil. People that drink this contaminated water become ill with a variety of water-borne illnesses, including dysentery, typhoid, cholera, polio, meningitis, hepatitis, etc.
How to Maintain Sanitation in Public Places
The local municipality is in charge of upholding sanitary conditions in public areas, but we can also support their efforts. By adopting some basic habits, we can improve sanitation in public areas:
Do not discard trash in public areas, including paper, food scraps, bags, empty plastic water bottles, etc.
It is required to put trash in the proper trash cans. However, if there isn't a trash can nearby, we must bring it home and put it in the trash can.
We shouldn't spit in public spaces.
After eating a banana, you are not permitted to discard the peel in a public area or on the side of the road.
Never relieve beside a roadside.
Importance of Sanitation
In public spaces, it's crucial to practice good hygiene since dirt can spread contamination. Insects and mosquitoes can breed in wastewater that has been left outside. Diseases like cholera and dysentery are primarily brought on by a lack of hygiene. Waste production is a necessary component of human activities. However, we can control the quantity and quality of garbage produced. We can assist with proper waste disposal as well.
Hygiene vs Sanitation
Both phrases essentially apply to illness prevention and health promotion. Hygiene and the human body are commonly connected. We use the word "hygiene" for our physical well-being when we wash our teeth, take regular baths, and perform other similar activities. The most common measure to stop the spread of microorganisms, which falls under the heading of hygiene, is handwashing.
In contrast, "sanitation" refers to removing trash, including human and environmental waste. There are many distinct forms of sanitation, such as basic sanitation, which deals with handling human waste like faeces; on-site sanitation, which describes how people handle and dispose of various types of waste; food sanitation, which deals with treating food appropriately; environmental sanitation, which includes industrial sanitation; and ecological sanitation.
Key Features
Sanitation is the term used to describe issues with public health related to drinking water and the "treatment and disposal of human faeces and sewage.
Bus terminals, train stations, and fairgrounds are examples of public gathering locations where proper sanitation and hygiene facilities should be present.
Most people in developing and impoverished nations lack access to toilets, bathrooms, and functional drainage systems in their homes and public spaces.
By not littering and placing trash in trash cans, each individual can contribute significantly to reducing and managing waste. Excreta must be properly disposed of.
Encourage others to produce less garbage, to dispose of it properly, etc.
FAQs on Sanitation at Public Places: Definition and Importance
1. What exactly does 'sanitation at public places' mean?
Sanitation at public places refers to the public health measures and facilities designed to safely manage human and solid waste in shared spaces. This includes providing clean public toilets, ensuring proper sewage treatment, installing sufficient dustbins for waste disposal, and maintaining overall cleanliness to prevent the spread of diseases in areas like parks, markets, and bus stations.
2. Why is it so important to maintain sanitation in public places?
Maintaining sanitation in public places is crucial for several reasons:
- Prevents Disease: It stops the spread of infectious diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea, which thrive in unhygienic conditions.
- Protects the Environment: Proper waste disposal prevents soil and water pollution, protecting local ecosystems and wildlife.
- Promotes Public Well-being: Clean and pleasant surroundings improve the quality of life and encourage community pride and tourism.
- Ensures Safety: Clean, well-maintained spaces are safer and reduce the risk of accidents caused by litter or garbage.
3. What is the main difference between personal 'hygiene' and public 'sanitation'?
While both are related to health, hygiene refers to individual practices to keep oneself clean, such as washing hands or brushing teeth. In contrast, sanitation refers to the community-level systems that keep the environment clean, such as sewage networks, waste collection, and clean water supply. Essentially, hygiene is a personal responsibility, while sanitation is a public or collective one.
4. What are some simple habits an individual can adopt to improve sanitation in public places?
As an active citizen, you can contribute significantly by adopting simple habits. Always use designated dustbins for trash. If a bin isn't available, carry your waste until you find one. Avoid spitting or littering in open areas. Additionally, you can encourage others to follow these practices and help in creating a culture of cleanliness and civic sense.
5. How does poor sanitation in a place like a railway station affect public health and the environment?
Poor sanitation at a crowded place like a railway station can have severe consequences. From a public health perspective, it becomes a breeding ground for germs and disease-carrying pests, increasing the risk of widespread infections. Environmentally, accumulated garbage can clog drains, leading to waterlogging, and plastic waste can pollute nearby land and water bodies, causing long-term ecological damage.
6. What is the purpose of using different coloured dustbins, like green and blue, in public areas?
The use of different coloured dustbins is for waste segregation at the source, which is a key step in effective waste management. Typically:
- Green Bins: Are for biodegradable waste, such as leftover food, fruit peels, and leaves.
- Blue Bins: Are for non-biodegradable or dry waste that can be recycled, like plastic bottles, paper, glass, and metal.
This separation helps in recycling and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.
7. Besides individual citizens, what is the role of the local government in ensuring public sanitation?
The local municipality or government body plays the primary role in public sanitation. Their responsibilities include setting up and maintaining infrastructure like public toilets and water facilities, organising regular garbage collection and transportation, cleaning streets and public spaces, and ensuring the scientific disposal or treatment of waste. They also run awareness campaigns to educate the public.
8. How did a government initiative like the Swachh Bharat Mission address public sanitation in India?
The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on October 2, 2014, was a nationwide campaign to improve sanitation and cleanliness. Its main goal was to make India 'Open Defecation Free' (ODF) by constructing millions of toilets in both rural and urban areas. The mission focused not just on building infrastructure but also on triggering behavioural change among citizens regarding cleanliness and the use of toilets, significantly improving sanitation coverage across the country.
9. What are some common challenges faced in maintaining sanitation in crowded fairgrounds or markets?
Maintaining sanitation in highly crowded places like fairgrounds and markets is challenging due to several factors. The sheer volume of waste generated in a short period is immense. Furthermore, a lack of civic sense in a fraction of the crowd can quickly lead to widespread littering. Ensuring an adequate number of clean toilets and dustbins, and carrying out continuous cleaning amidst the crowd, are major logistical hurdles.
10. What are some key examples of public places where proper sanitation is absolutely essential?
Proper sanitation is essential in all public spaces, but it is especially critical in areas with high footfall where the risk of disease transmission is higher. Key examples include:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Schools and colleges
- Bus terminals and railway stations
- Public parks and playgrounds
- Markets and shopping centres
- Religious places and fairgrounds
