Toilet

A toilet is a piece of <a href="/facts/Sanitary/NLGqBs2T">sanitary</a> hardware that collects <a href="/facts/Human_waste/FkBVmLgc">human waste</a> (<a href="/facts/Urine/oNUYVtvX">urine</a> and <a href="/facts/Human_feces/E55Ym1Cl">feces</a>) and sometimes <a href="/facts/Toilet_paper/Hv7GWdbD">toilet paper</a>, usually for disposal. <a href="/facts/Flush_toilets/84csAWYE">Flush toilets</a> use water, while <a href="/facts/Dry_toilet/6a3fU1eP">dry or non-flush toilets</a> do not. They can be designed for a sitting position popular in Europe and North America with a <a href="/facts/Toilet_seat/WaTs4JRa">toilet seat</a>, with <a href="/facts/Accessible_toilet/nkAcdggR">additional considerations for those with disabilities</a>, or for a squatting posture more popular in <a href="/facts/Asia/4IToYrrQ">Asia</a>, known as a <a href="/facts/Squat_toilet/Jggtwhu9">squat toilet</a>. In urban areas, flush toilets are usually connected to a <a href="/facts/Sewer_system/bmbN015l">sewer system</a>; in isolated areas, to a <a href="/facts/Septic_tank/hHgN3sM3">septic tank</a>. The waste is known as <a href="/facts/Blackwater_(waste)/t0DdcTt2">blackwater</a> and the combined effluent, including other sources, is <a href="/facts/Sewage/aC5N1kls">sewage</a>. Dry toilets are <a href="/facts/Pit_latrine/8EmJHS97">connected to a pit</a>, <a href="/facts/Container-based_sanitation/o5xqkjVg">removable container</a>, <a href="/facts/Composting_toilet/9p68cmMB">composting chamber</a>, or other storage and treatment device, including <a href="/facts/Urine_diversion/1zkGv9zn">urine diversion</a> with a <a href="/facts/Urine-diverting_dry_toilet/yCt55pPw">urine-diverting toilet</a>. "<a href="/facts/Toilet_(room)/mT5s2seK">Toilet" or "toilets"</a> is also widely used for rooms containing only one or more toilets and hand-basins. Lavatory is an older word for toilet. 
The technology used for modern toilets varies. Toilets are commonly made of <a href="/facts/Ceramic/9JKudpqX">ceramic</a> (<a href="/facts/Porcelain/deuLm3sb">porcelain</a>), concrete, plastic, or wood. Newer toilet technologies include <a href="/facts/Dual_flush_toilet/Gc1WBslS">dual flushing</a>, <a href="/facts/Low-flush_toilet/jszD4Hr6">low flushing</a>, <a href="/facts/Toilet_seat/WaTs4JRa">toilet seat warming</a>, self-cleaning, <a href="/facts/Female_urinal/FmmHJJTq">female urinals</a> and <a href="/facts/Waterless_urinal/GT0tEF72">waterless urinals</a>. Japan is known for <a href="/facts/Toilets_in_Japan/tXaHCw0z">its toilet technology</a>. <a href="/facts/Airplane_toilet/eIhnz0DS">Airplane toilets</a> are specially designed to operate in the air. The need to maintain <a href="/facts/Anal_hygiene/TTfbeMta">anal hygiene</a> post-<a href="/facts/Defecation/EBv8o15S">defecation</a> is universally recognized and <a href="/facts/Toilet_paper/Hv7GWdbD">toilet paper</a> (often held by a <a href="/facts/Toilet_roll_holder/6RJzXQDv">toilet roll holder</a>), which may also be used to wipe the <a href="/facts/Vulva/ECayW89s">vulva</a> after urination, is widely used (as well as <a href="/facts/Bidet/QDYVFP7M">bidets</a>).
In private homes, depending on the region and style, the toilet may exist in the same bathroom as the sink, <a href="/facts/Bathtub/8808jPhL">bathtub</a>, and shower. Another option is to have one room for body <a href="/facts/Washing/slJMImIF">washing</a> (also called "bathroom") and a separate one for the toilet and <a href="/facts/Hand_washing/BTgUfoRo">handwashing</a> <a href="/facts/Sink/MQTNL1bh">sink</a> (<a href="/facts/Toilet_(room)/mT5s2seK">toilet room</a>). <a href="/facts/Public_toilet/ysT24WLM">Public toilets</a> (<a href="/facts/Restrooms/ysT24WLM">restrooms</a>) consist of one or more toilets (and commonly single <a href="/facts/Urinal/GT0tEF72">urinals</a> or trough urinals) which are available for use by the general public. Products like <a href="/facts/Urinal_deodorizer_block/jS4APITP">urinal blocks</a> and <a href="/facts/Toilet_rim_block/bEs1VzcJ">toilet blocks</a> help maintain the smell and cleanliness of toilets. <a href="/facts/Toilet_seat_cover/yzuSxK0B">Toilet seat covers</a> are sometimes used. <a href="/facts/Portable_toilet/5Cz8Jbr8">Portable toilets</a> (frequently <a href="/facts/Chemical_toilet/l3VfT4sW">chemical "porta johns"</a>) may be brought in for large and temporary gatherings.
Historically, <a href="/facts/Sanitation/NLGqBs2T">sanitation</a> has been a concern from the earliest stages of <a href="/facts/Human_settlement/kAbm83QV">human settlements</a>. However, many poor households in <a href="/facts/Developing_countries/eTfS4kxl">developing countries</a> use very basic, and often unhygienic, toilets – and nearly one billion people have no access to a toilet at all; they must <a href="/facts/Open_defecation/GVw107Tf">openly defecate</a> and urinate. These issues can lead to the spread of diseases transmitted via the <a href="/facts/Fecal%25E2%2580%2593oral_route/oAl5TN9z">fecal-oral route</a>, or the transmission of <a href="/facts/Waterborne_diseases/pxM3dqM4">waterborne diseases</a> such as <a href="/facts/Cholera/rk8JfWEp">cholera</a> and <a href="/facts/Dysentery/l0yfLtg3">dysentery</a>. Therefore, the United Nations <a href="/facts/Sustainable_Development_Goal_6/szgjWK3h">Sustainable Development Goal 6</a> wants to "achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and <a href="/facts/Hygiene/zH17q0L0">hygiene</a> for all and end open defecation".

Toilet open-in-new

Toilet