Public restrooms may present dangers to the average person. Although they're necessary to use when working and traveling outside the home, these public rooms function primarily as places to urinate and defecate, but they are also used to change diapers, wash hands, take drugs and engage in sexual activity. The dangers of using a public restroom include the transmission of germs, risks posed by exposure to strangers, and injuries sustained from avoiding contact with dirty toilet seats.
Transmission of Germs
According to a 2008 CNN Health report, public restrooms may contain a variety of dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella, coliform, rotavirus, cold virus and staph germs that cause Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA. While people may fear the dangers of dirty toilet seats, Charles Gerba, a researcher from the University of Arizona, finds toilet seats to be the least germ-infested part of the public restroom. Washing hands after restroom use remains the most effective way to prevent infections.
Exposure to Strangers
Parents, in particular, worry about safety in public restrooms. Allowing children to utilize public restrooms alone can leave them vulnerable to pedophiles or even abduction. An analysis by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children regarding attempted abductions between 2005 and 2010 reveals 37 percent of non-family abductions were undertaken by strangers. Adults face risk as well when using public restrooms. Robbery, assault and other crimes may take place in deserted public facilities, according to San Jose Mercury News.
Injuries
Women are susceptible to the danger of injury to their pelvic floor muscles, as well as pelvic pain from public restroom use if they "hover" above the toilet seat in an effort to avoid touching it, according to Jennifer Gunter of the San Francisco Health Examiner. Other public restroom dangers for both men and women include simple falls from tripping or slipping and more severe injuries to hands from getting fingers caught in restroom stall doors.
References
- CNN Health: Conquering the 'ewww' factor of the public potty
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: CHILDREN AT GREATEST RISK OF ABDUCTION WHEN GOING TO AND FROM SCHOOL OR SCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITIES
- Mercurynews.com: Man, 31, arrested in assault, robbery of woman at Gilroy Outlets
- Examiner.com: Are there health risks to hovering over a toilet seat?
- The Orange County Register: Woman sues over 'hazardous' restroom stall
