One of the earliest memories I have was my mother’s reluctance to ever let me use a public toilet.

I have vivid memories of being dragged around department stores as I threw as fit over the fact that I had to hold it in until I got home.

Sometimes out of sheer exasperation on my mother’s part, I would win out. When we actually got to the bathroom, I was always told to make the requisite toilet paper shield over the seat before I sat down.

I have to think that my experience is not unique.

What surprised me though was how misguided this thinking was. Would you believe me if I told you that your kitchen cutting board probably has more fecal matter on it than your toilet?

The video above by AsapSCIENCE breaks down exactly how effective a well maintained; clean toilet is at preventing the spread of bacteria. It really reinforced what an incredible public health improvement the humble toilet can be.

We are incredibly privileged in the West to have toilets in such abundance: 2.5 billion people around the world don’t share that privilege.

We could save more than 700,000 children’s lives every year if we could improve access to sanitation around the world.

You can help: click on the petition on this page to call on world leaders to make toilets’ life saving potential accessible to all who need it.

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Tom Blake