SANITATION

Jun 04 2026HEALTH

Public restrooms matter more than you might think

San Diego is considering shutting down many public restrooms to save money. At first glance, that might seem like no big deal. Who really needs a public bathroom every day? But look closer and the picture changes completely. Public restrooms are part of the city’s invisible safety net. They keep ger

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Mar 20 2026ENVIRONMENT

Disasters Hit the Most Vulnerable: How Floods and Cyclones Mess With Cleanliness in Bangladesh

People living with disabilities face unique challenges when nature throws a curveball. When heavy rains or violent storms hit Bangladesh, the country’s already fragile toilets and drainage systems get wrecked. The damage isn’t just about broken pipes; it means that those who need extra help to

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Nov 05 2025ENVIRONMENT

Who's in Charge of Clean Toilets in Zambia?

In Zambia, getting clean and safe toilets is still a big problem. Not everyone has access to them. The people who can make a difference have different amounts of power and care about the issue in varying degrees. This mix of power and interest affects who gets these toilets and who doesn't. A recen

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Jul 03 2025BUSINESS

Trash Trouble: Workers Strike, Towns Pile Up

In Massachusetts, a big problem is growing as sanitation workers go on strike. Over 450 workers from Republic Services, who are part of the Teamsters Local 25 union, have stopped working. They are asking for better pay and benefits. This strike is affecting many towns, leaving trash and recycling pi

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Mar 07 2025HEALTH

How a Village in Congo Took Charge of Its Health

In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a remarkable experiment unfolded. A national program shook things up by giving villages money for better latrines and water systems. But that was just the start. The program also aimed to boost local leadership and encourage better hygiene habits.

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Jan 10 2025HEALTH

Why Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Matter for Kids' Health

You know how When kids get sick with diarrhea, it's often caused by germs like viruses. One big factor for this is how clean their water, toilets, and hands are. A recent study looked at kids under 5 in some of the world's poorest places. They found that longer trips to get water (15 minutes or more

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Jan 08 2025HEALTH

Boosting Urban Sanitation: Do Behavior Change Interventions Work?

"When it comes to urban living, keeping things clean is crucial. But not everyone follows the same rules. Some countries have launched projects to change how people act, hoping it'll make cities cleaner. But do these projects really work? Well, the answer isn't clear yet. Researchers have looked int

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Jan 06 2025LIFESTYLE

Travel Smart: Organize Your Flights with These Handy Products

Ever felt like a hot mess during long flights, constantly hunting for your stuff in grimy pockets? Meet Airplane Pockets, a small business making travel organization a breeze. Their portable, sanitary products are perfect for keeping all your essentials within reach. Take Emma Lord, for instance. S

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Dec 31 2024TECHNOLOGY

Smart Disinfection System: How Tech is Making Public Spaces Safer

Everyone is talking about the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, which has impacted millions worldwide. We've had to adopt social distancing and isolation. But what about public spaces like toilets? How do we keep them safe? A team designed a clever disinfection system using an STM32 microprocessor. Th

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Nov 27 2024HEALTH

Veggie Troubles: Parasites in Northeast Thailand's Markets

Fresh veggies might seem like a healthy choice, but they can hide some nasty surprises. In Northeast Thailand, where the weather is hot and humid, and farming is big, these surprises come in the form of intestinal parasites. These tiny critters can make you sick, which is a real problem for people l

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