Poor Sanitary Facilities Affect Adademic Achievement

(PRWEB) December 7, 2005 -- John Smith, Portaloo Business Manager, said: ‘It’s a well-known fact that dirty, unhygienic toilets pose a real health risk to children. Concerns have been raised with education departments in the past by organisations such as the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association about this, yet poor facilities are still found in schools today.’

Research conducted by the medical profession has shown that inadequate facilities can lead to pupils ‘holding on’ until they get home because they don’t want to use the school toilets. This can lead to both long and short-term health problems, including urinary tract infections, bedwetting, constipation and renal damage.

The physical discomfort of avoiding going to the toilet also has an impact on pupils’ academic achievements as it affects their concentration in lessons and therefore their ability to learn.

John continued: ‘As a business that prides itself on only providing the highest quality facilities, we want to encourage schools across the country to ensure that their toilets offer the comfort and hygiene standards that will help to eradicate these problems. We also want this to be a priority at all times, even in short-term circumstances such as refurbishment projects.

To support this drive, Portaloo has received significant investment from its parent company, Portakabin, to further strengthen the brand and the business. This includes more staff, increasing the fleet of buildings available to hire, and introducing new products - such as the acclaimed Portaloo Junior toilet building – all of which provides customers with complete peace of mind that the quality of facilities and service provided by the team will be second-to-none.

John continued: ‘The Portaloo business has grown by more than 65% over the last couple of years and we have seen more and more schools recognising the importance of providing quality amenities, and the impact that not doing this will have on pupils.

‘We want to ensure that this awareness and understanding continues to grow over the next 12 months so that poor quality, unsanitary toilets become a thing of the past.’

With 40 years experience in providing portable toilet, washroom and shower facilities, Portaloo is well positioned to provide expert advice and guidance to any school that wants to improve the facilities it has to offer.

Portaloo: a brief history
The first Portaloo toilet unit was produced in 1965 in response to new Construction Health & Welfare regulations, which required on-site sanitary facilities for building workers.

The business continued to grow at a rapid pace during the 1970s as other sectors, including schools, local authorities and the leisure industry began to recognise the benefits of portable toilet units from Portaloo.

Product innovation and development also played a key role in the brand’s expansion in the ‘70s with the introduction of changing rooms, shower cubicles and larger walk-in buildings to the Portaloo range.

In the 1980s the company introduced its first hire fleet, allowing customers to benefit from Portaloo toilet and shower buildings for as long as they
needed them.

Since then product innovation and responding to customer demand have continued to be top priorities for the team at Portaloo. The introduction of products such as the Portaloo Junior toilet building have ensured that schools can provide facilities that offer the same high quality, comfort and hygiene that pupils would get in their own homes.

John Smith concluded: ‘Many people still mistakenly believe that Portaloo only provides the single plastic toilet units that you see at outdoor events, such as concerts. This is not the case and we actually don’t produce this type of
unit at all.

‘Portaloo buildings are all constructed entirely from steel to provide maximum quality and durability. All our toilet blocks feature full-flushing amenities, with easy-clean fittings, surfaces and floors, as well as high quality sinks, taps and fixtures.

‘They are also delivered and installed by highly experienced professionals, with a dedicated team on-hand at all times to provide advice or solve any problems should they arise.’

To find out how Portaloo can improve the quality of your school’s facilities contact 0845 200 5555 or visit www.portaloo.co.uk.