The following is adapted from Chapter 4 of the author’s book “Fear of a Microbial Planet: How a Germophobic Safety Culture Makes Us Less Safe.” When cholera broke out in London in the first half of the nineteenth century, experts were quick to place the blame on miasma—the accumulation of toxic gases and odors within the…

A new study indicates that how we sanitize for germs can determine how at risk we are from catching a cold from a virus or bacteria. Decontaminating subway trains with a probiotic-based cleaning solution was found far more effective than chlorine-based cleaners at killing pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19. This was…

NEW DELHI—A group of young social entrepreneurs is trying to solve some pertinent sanitation problems in India by building public toilets with materials that lower carbon emissions. Ashwini Agarwal, 31, was a student at the Delhi College of Art and Commerce when he made his first public toilet in 2015 outside one of India’s largest…

A number of different cities in Orange County, California, could have their trash service delayed after 400 sanitation workers have opted to strike, alleging unfair labor practices with employer Republic Services. While the walkout is occurring at Republic Services facilities in Huntington Beach and Anaheim, other cities will also be impacted by having their trash services delayed. Those cities…