4 days ago
Mumbai Public Toilets Face Deadly Risks From Toxic Fumes
Two people died after breathing dangerous fumes inside a public toilet in Mumbai.
Officials said a nearby factory may have released harmful chemicals there.
Public toilets can also collect gases made when biological waste breaks down.
These toilets are often enclosed and poorly ventilated, making the gases dangerous.
Poor cleaning and maintenance can make the problem worse.
Six people have died from toxic fumes in Mumbai public toilets during the past four years.
The city says it may charge user fees to raise money for maintenance.
It also plans to redevelop some public toilets.
Two people died Sunday after inhaling chemical fumes inside a public toilet in Mumbai’s Jogeshwari area.
Preliminary findings said harmful chemicals were allegedly discharged into the toilet by a nearby factory.
Six people have died from toxic fumes in Mumbai public toilets over the past four years, including six labourers in 2022 and 2024 incidents.
Mumbai has 846 public toilets, each receiving an average of 10,000 users daily, according to civic records.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation plans to introduce user fees and redevelop several toilets to improve maintenance and safety.
- Who
- Two people died, and officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board investigated the incident.
- What
- The victims died after inhaling chemical fumes inside a public toilet.
- Where
- A public toilet in Mumbai’s Jogeshwari area.
- When
- The deaths occurred on Sunday; the article also cites similar incidents in March 2022 and March 2024.
- Why
- Preliminary reports said chemicals were allegedly discharged into the toilet by a nearby factory, while poor ventilation and sanitation gaps can also allow toxic gases to accumulate.
Key facts
- Recent deaths
- Two people died after inhaling chemical fumes in a Mumbai public toilet.
- Public toilets in Mumbai
- The city has 846 public toilets.
- Average daily footfall
- Each public toilet receives an average of 10,000 users per day.
- Deaths over four years
- Six people have died after inhaling chemical fumes or toxic gases in public toilets.
- Potential gases
- Decomposition can produce hydrogen sulphide and methane, while reducing oxygen levels.
- Planned response
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is considering user fees and has taken several toilets up for redevelopment.
Quotes
A civic official
An unnamed official discussing gas accumulation and maintenance problems in Mumbai’s public toilets.
“The main concern behind the poor maintenance of these toilets is the lack of resources. Therefore, once the user fee proposal is approved, each public toilet can generate revenue of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 3 lakh per month through user fees. This money could be utilised for proper maintenance.”
indianexpress.com
“According to the state pollution control rules, chemical waste can only be dumped within industrial zones. It is possible that the waste was being dumped almost every day and, due to the recurring dumping of chemical waste, the atmosphere inside the toilet became severely toxic.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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