Contact: Steven Soifer, Ph.D.
American Restroom Association
443.898.2141
steven@americanrestroom.org
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
November 18, 2024
World Toilet Day 2024: ARA Calls for US Health and Human Services to Intervene and Stop America’s Public Toilet Crisis
Catonsville, Maryland, USA – In recognition of World Toilet Day on November 19, 2024, the American Restroom Association (ARA) calls for the United States Department of Health and Human Services to meet the mandate to protect public health by requiring public restroom availability at the same level OSHA requires employee access to restrooms in the workplace.
“America is literally going down the toilet. Public restrooms are essential to public health and well-being. When restrooms are not available it hurts society. People can’t travel to certain places due to lack of access; people have accidents, urinate or defecate in the wrong places without hand washing. This can cause contamination in public spaces. Lack of access to public restrooms causes a chain reaction of problems,” said Dr. Steve Soifer, Co-founder of the American Restroom Association. “We developed the ARA Federal Public Restroom Requirements Initiative (FPRRI) as a step toward ensuring that every person, regardless of their location or circumstance, has access to clean, safe, and fully accessible restroom facilities.”
World Toilet Day, recognized globally since 2013, emphasizes the importance of sanitation and access to clean, safe restrooms. This year’s theme, “Peace, Progress, and Protection” aligns with the ARA’s initiative to establish comprehensive federal standards for public restroom accessibility, hygiene, and maintenance across the United States, addressing a critical public health issue.
“Access to clean restrooms is not just a convenience; it is a basic human right,” said Dr. Steve Soifer, Co-founder of the ARA. “We invite policymakers, businesses, and citizens to join us in advocating for better restroom facilities nationwide.”
Learn more about the FPRRI and how you can support it.
**About the American Restroom Association**
Founded in 2004, the American Restroom Association is dedicated to advocating for better public restroom facilities throughout the United States. Through research, public education, and collaboration with stakeholders, ARA strives to promote hygiene, safety, and accessibility for all.
