China mulls hygiene standards for public restrooms

BEIJING - Health authorities have issued a draft regulation that sets standards for public toilets, including limits for odor intensity and the number of flies and maggots.

The draft also sets requirements for the design, layout, construction and daily management of public toilets.

According to the rules, toilets attached to other buildings should contain no more than one fly per square meter. For independent public toilets, each square meter should contain no more than three flies.

The draft also stipulates that if an equal number of men and women use a given toilet service area, the number of stalls for women should be double the number of stalls for men.

Erecting panels between male urinals and doors for toilet stalls are also advised in the draft.

The draft also contains classifications for odors, cleaning, equipment and disinfection.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday released a statement on its website soliciting public opinions on the draft regulation.

Suggestions and advice can be sent to authorities by fax or e-mail, according to the statement.