FACTS of LIFE-3

TOILET vs. BAD SMELL .
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Miss EJ from Singapore has sent me an e-mail, to vmpalani@streamyx.com, asking me to explain something that has been bugging her mind since long.
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This is her question:
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"Dr. Palani, Could you please give me some idea as how I can prevent my toilet from smelling too bad all the time?"
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I am glad to answer this question. . In fact, the toilets in most homes in the tropical countries tend to smell awful.
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Let me evaluate the situation, so that ALL readers would benefit:
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Basically, the smell is due to the microorganism BACTERIA.
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Most microorganisms require the following FIVE conditions for luxurious growth:
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* Moisture
* Warmth
* Protein, or its derivatives viz., Aminoacids or Ammonia or even Nitrogen.
* Darkness
* Stale air i.e., less oxygen, more carbon dioxide.
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All the above five make up the most conducive ECOLOGICAL FACTORS, which make up the most suitable niche for bacterial living and growth.
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 In Europe, for example, the climate is cold, often, and also the air tends to be dry: i.e., the Relative Humidity is very low.
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The dry air will dry up the moisture.
The cold weather will not provide warmth required for bacterial growth. .
Since two of the five factors are not conducive, bacteria will not thrive well there.
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 As a result, it may not emit odour.
That is why you do not get foul odour in cold countries and highlands.

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Now, let us see the situation in the hot climates that prevail in the tropics: . If you keep the toilet's door closed:
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* The moisture will not dry up.
* The moist toilet room will be warm.
* Ammonia from urine / urea will provide good basis.
* Closed door will keep the toilet in a dark state.
* The closed door will also prevent air exchange, resulting in the air being stale. .
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All the above five factors make up excellent environment for bacterial growth.
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Therefore, all toilets in the tropical countries with closed doors will certainly smell bad.
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 So, what could be the remedy?
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Well, you have no choice except to keeping your toilet door open all the time, except when it is occupied.
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If doors are kept opened, then:
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* The moisture will dry up quickly.
* Air flowing from outside the toilet will keep the environment cool.
* The splashed urine will dry up.
* The room will be receiving enough light that the darkness will not prevail any more.
* The stale air will be driven out, and oxygen containing fresh air will be there.
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Thus, ALL the five ecological factors will be so bad for the existence of bacteria that they will not live there and multiply.
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You can try keeping your toilet door opened. You will be convinced of what I have explained here.
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 I never keep the toilet doors closed. My toilets never emit any bad odour at any time.
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There is one more important point to consider:
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 That has relevance to the Western toilet PRAM, where you sit over.
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If the toilet bowl is kept closed in the Western temperate countreis, that too will not smell.
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However, if that is closed in the tropical countries, again, it will keep on emitting very bad smell, for reasons I have already explained.
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 Remember: Covered toilet bowl will be moist, warm, dark, and will have stale air and also ammonia, all at their maximum.
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So, the bowl, once you open it up before use, it will blow a very strong fowl-smelling repulsive odour over your face.
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That will be bad for your health!
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So, dear friends, if you happen to be living in the tropical environment, please keep your toilet doors (and also the bowl cover) open.
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Well, since I wanted to reply this e-mail, I had to delay a bit my regular write-up.
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Possibly by this evening, I will write about the HALF LIFE subject and related dangers.
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 Until then, bye,
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Dr. Palani. . . .