Blair Toilet
Encyclopedia
The Blair Toilet is a pit toilet
designed in the 1970s. It was a result of large-scale projects to improve rural sanitation
during the 1980s after Independence in Zimbabwe
, at the Blair Research Institute. There was mass deployment of the toilet
design in the rural areas of the country. It was developed by Dr. Peter Morgan. of Harare
, Zimbabwe
Its design makes use of air currents, a septic tank
like pit, over which is built an upper structure with an open light-trap entrance and ventilation pipe from the bottom pit with a fine wire grate to keep out flies but more importantly to trap those entering the toilet hole from flying out towards the light. The result is odorless and hygienic, as flies can not escape from the fecal matter
to spread disease, and the gases produced by the decomposing waste are redirected outside.
Pit toilet
A pit toilet is a dry toilet system which collects human excrement in a large container and range from a simple slit trench to more elaborate systems with ventilation. They are more often used in rural and wilderness areas as well as in much of the developing world...
designed in the 1970s. It was a result of large-scale projects to improve rural sanitation
Sanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
during the 1980s after Independence in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, at the Blair Research Institute. There was mass deployment of the toilet
Toilet
A toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement, often found in a small room referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory...
design in the rural areas of the country. It was developed by Dr. Peter Morgan. of Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Zimbabwe
Its design makes use of air currents, a septic tank
Septic tank
A septic tank is a key component of the septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations...
like pit, over which is built an upper structure with an open light-trap entrance and ventilation pipe from the bottom pit with a fine wire grate to keep out flies but more importantly to trap those entering the toilet hole from flying out towards the light. The result is odorless and hygienic, as flies can not escape from the fecal matter
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
to spread disease, and the gases produced by the decomposing waste are redirected outside.