Uncovering the State of Faculty of Arts’ Toilets, and its Possible Health Consequences

Sadik Omolola

A visit to the faculty of Arts’ restrooms may leave you feeling disgusted, and the situation is not so different in numerous restrooms across halls of residence and faculties in this prestigious university. This unpleasant situation raises questions: Who exactly are we to blame? How much toilet etiquette do the students show/have? Or are the cleaners slacking in their duties? Or are the students and cleaners all suffering the plight— “is the water needed to keep toilets clean readily available?” An amusing response written on “always flush the toilet after use” sign pasted on the toilet door of a particular faculty was “una no get water for your faculty abeg”.

Focusing on students who choose to ignore the simple toilet etiquette “always flush the toilet after use” when water is available, this act can be regarded as a “campus pandemic”. In halls of residence, faculties, and departments, unflushed toilets have become necessary unpleasant sights due to students who refuse to flush toilets and the unavailability of water for those willing to flush the toilets after use.

There are times when students have complained about the messy state of the restrooms in the Faculty of Arts. However, there are times when, upon further investigation, they’d find out that water was available. Regarding this, students need to know to play their own part in keeping their restrooms clean and be aware of the negative implications of this rather unbecoming habit on the health of others.

What Happens When You Don’t Flush The Toilet After Using It?

When you don’t flush after urinating, the bacteria in the urine multiply and begin to work to break down the original urea into nitrates. Until the cycle is established, you will get a major build-up of ammonia, and the restroom will start to stink.
On the other hand, according to an article published by ToiletWC, after several hours, feces left unflushed would start to disintegrate in the toilet water, attracting maggots. These maggots are the products of flies that have perched on it hours earlier. By this time, the restroom would be unbearable to stay in.

A student, who requested anonymity, shared her experience saying “when I entered the restroom, I was about to vomit; there were maggots coming out of the WC. It was beyond messy”.

She added that she, unfortunately, had to urinate at the back of the toilet in an open space, suffering the risk of being seen by passers-by. She further complained about the state of the restroom being disappointing and dissatisfying, adding that she has resigned to using KDL restroom anytime she is in the faculty and feels the need to use a restroom.

The Health Implications of not Flushing Restrooms After Use

On campuses, one often overlooks the aspect of health that is restroom hygiene. Imagine a scenario where you step into a restroom, only to be met with an unpleasant sight— unflushed toilets. When you use the restroom, you might be inclined to leave without flushing, perhaps you are in a hurry, or maybe you just do not care. While the act could seem minor to those who have inculcated this habit, the health implications of not flushing restrooms after use are even more significant than you think. The United Nations agency noted that about 2.6 billion people around the world who live without access to hygienic restrooms are vulnerable to a range of health risks.

Bacterial Buildup: Unflushed restrooms become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. According to a study by the World Health Organization, stagnant water in restrooms can lead to the proliferation of E. coli, a bacterium known for causing various gastrointestinal infections. Some of these microorganisms can survive on surfaces for days, leading to the potential spread of infections and diseases. Bacterial infections, such as UTIs, can spread through fecal-oral transmission or by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.

Infestations: Failing to flush can also lead to an increase in infestations, such as flies or rats. This is because stagnant water creates the perfect breeding environment for these pests, who are then able to spread and also infest other areas.

Bad Odor: Unflushed restrooms emit unpleasant odors that can be quite offensive. This smell can make it difficult for the restroom users, other people using the restroom, people staying in the surroundings, and even passers-by to breathe comfortably.

Airborne Contaminants: The Nigerian Ministry of Health reports that poor restroom hygiene can lead to respiratory issues and the spread of infectious diseases, especially in crowded campus environments. Neglected restrooms emit foul odors that can permeate the surrounding area. These odors aren’t just unpleasant; they may contain harmful airborne contaminants that can lead to respiratory infections when inhaled.

The Psychological Toll

Stress and Discomfort: Leaving restrooms messy leaves people traumatized. Using a restroom with unflushed waste can be psychologically distressing. The stress and discomfort associated with unhygienic restrooms can negatively impact your overall well-being. It is rude to intentionally not keep restrooms clean after use. You should never use a restroom without considering the next user.

Social Stigma: To those who refuse to flush restrooms after use, as funny as it may sound, not flushing restrooms can lead to social stigma. Will you like to be caught someday and known as the person who leaves restrooms in a messy state? No! I don’t think anyone would like to be tagged the “dirty boy or girl” that does not flush restrooms after use. It can harm your social interactions and reputation among your peers. The first thing that would come to everyone’s mind when they see you is the fact that you have a notoriously bad restroom habit. You will be severely gossiped about, and this can actually affect your mental health. How about you simply save yourself the stress and adopt healthy habits?

In conclusion, the health implications of not flushing toilets after use extend far beyond the immediate inconvenience. Bacterial contamination, infestation, foul odors, and psychological stress are just a few of the issues that can arise from this simple neglect. It is vital that we take responsibility for our restroom hygiene. So, the next time you use the restroom, what should come to your mind is that “maintaining proper restroom hygiene is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a matter of health and well-being”.