Why Are Feces an Environmental Problem?
Worldwide, the lack of facilities for the hygienic disposal of human feces is a big concern. Indiscriminate defecation, especially near homes, is an environmental hazard because of the diseases and parasites found in feces.
Other People Are Reading
-
Diarrheal Diseases
-
The dehydration caused by diarrhea is particularly dangerous to children; diarrheal diseases are a significant cause of child mortality in the developing world. Several types of bacteria found in feces cause diarrhea, including Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli.
Parasites
-
Human feces can carry the infective forms of a number of parasites, including roundworms (Ascaris species), pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) and tapeworms (Taenia species). All of these parasites are passed on through fecal contamination. Some of these parasites, such as Girardia lamblia, also cause diarrhea.
-
Feces of Other Animals
-
Dog and cat feces can also carry parasites that infect humans. For example, a study by the University of Illinois found the eggs of the common dog roundworm, Toxocara canis, in samples of dirt collected from different playgrounds. These eggs came from the feces of infected dogs.
-
References
- Hygiene Improvement Project; "Review of Safe Disposal of Feces"; by Kathleen Shordt; 2006
- Environmental Health Project; "Children's Feces Disposal Practices in Developing Countries and Interventions to Prevent Diarrheal Diseases: A Literature Review"; by Ana I. Gil, Claudio F. Lantana, Eckard F. Kleinau and Mary E. Penny; August 2004
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Diarrhea
- Des Moines Area Community College: Human Parasites
- "Veterinary Parasitology" journal; Environmental Contamination by Eggs of Toxocara Species; by A.J. Paul, K.S. Todd and J.A. Dipietro; January 1988
- Photo Credit sign for toilet/ unisex. toilet access. portaloo image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
