Archives: <span>Glossary Entries</span>

Hand-washing Facilities

Handwashing Facilities are spaces that provide potable water, which is disinfected and safe for all uses, soap, a towel or hand-dryer, and instructions on how to properly use one. They are used to improve overall health and prevent the spread of diseases by disinfecting harmful pathogens that would otherwise enter …

Sanitation

Sanitation is one of the most important aspects of community welfare for human. It provides facilities and services which refer to public health conditions related to sewage and disposal of human excrement. In order to safely manage the human excreta from the toilet to containment, storage and in-site processing or …

Hazardous Chemical

A hazardous chemical is a substance that has the capacity to cause negative effects when exposed to humans, animals, or the environment. Although produced in both natural and artificial settings, these substances are most commonly man-made through industrial, agricultural, and medicinal applications. Improper and careless handling can result in the …

Open Defecation

Open defecation is the practice of defecating without the usage of any toilet facility in any outdoor open space, such as in a bush or a field. It is generally practiced because of inadequate sanitation facilities. Open defecation also leaves faeces exposed, which results in other people being commonly exposed …

Detrimental Pathogen

A detrimental pathogen is an organism or virus found in untreated water that causes disease, damage, and possibly death to its host.  Common methods for removal of these pathogens include chemical treatment, filtration, and flocculation.

Soap

A substance typically composed of a basic chemical mixed with an oil that is used with water for sanitation and hygiene purposes to remove germs when washing and housekeeping.

Desalination

Desalination is the process of removing dissolved minerals from saline water. This process is commonly used to make seawater drinkable in regions where other water sources are scarce.