Mobile Toilets During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile toilets have become key public health facilities for blocking virus transmission through technological innovation and upgraded management standards, primarily reflected in the following aspects:
1. Automated cleaning and disinfection technologies reduce contact risks
The 'unmanned toilet' launched by Hangzhou Zhide Pusi Technology Co., Ltd. achieves full-process automated cleaning. Six to ten minutes after a user leaves, the system initiates a self-cleaning procedure: the toilet rotates into a dark chamber for high-pressure rinsing and ultraviolet disinfection, while the floor is cleaned via an integrated push plate for full coverage cleaning, and the roof disinfection machine releases ozone for 360° space disinfection. This design minimizes human intervention, effectively preventing cleaning staff from coming into contact with contaminants and reducing the likelihood of cross-infection.
2. Negative pressure environments and vacuum flushing technologies block aerosol transmission
The negative pressure mobile toilets from Lianjia Jisheng (Suzhou) Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. create a continuous negative pressure environment inside the toilet through aerodynamic design. The air intake sucks low-level air into the top sterilization system, where it is filtered through HEPA, sterilized with ultraviolet light, and deodorized with activated carbon before being discharged, ensuring unidirectional airflow inside without spillage. Combined with vacuum flushing technology, which uses negative pressure to instantly suck waste into a sealed storage tank, this avoids the splashing and aerosols produced by traditional flushing, making it particularly suitable for high-risk areas.
3. Intelligent epidemic prevention systems enable contactless use
The epidemic prevention smart public toilets showcased at the Shenzhen Book Fair integrate multiple contactless technologies: automatic door opening via infrared sensors or mobile apps to avoid hand contact; nano-mist devices that periodically spray chlorine-based disinfectants to disinfect high-contact areas such as door handles and handrails; photocatalyst panels that continuously decompose organic matter under light to inhibit bacterial growth; and negative pressure fresh air systems that exchange air 12 times per hour, combined with ultraviolet sterilization in the exhaust ducts to ensure air quality standards are met.
4. Enhanced management measures in Fangcang hospital settings
In temporary medical facilities such as the Wuhan Jianghan Fangcang Hospital, mobile toilets adopt a 'one-user, one-disinfection' system. Cleaning staff wear protective gear and use chlorine-based disinfectants to wipe and disinfect toilets, floors, and door frames, recording the disinfection time and responsible person. For medical waste, double-sealed trash bins are set up, which are regularly transported by dedicated vehicles to incineration plants for disposal, forming a closed-loop management chain.
5. International standards promote global standardization of emergency sanitation management
The ISO 24599:2025 standard, released in 2025, specifies key indicators for mobile toilets during pandemics, such as siting requirements (e.g., away from water sources, maintaining ventilation), disinfection frequency (at least three full disinfections per day), and waste disposal (medical waste must be collected separately). This provides a technical framework for emergency sanitation facility construction in various countries, promoting coordinated improvements in global public health response capabilities.
