Toilet Paper

Structure: Description History Lifecycle Related products Sources

Description

Toilet paper is a lightweight paper used for human hygiene purposes, primarily after defecation or urination. Modern toilet paper is usually sold as a roll, with a cardboard tube as the core. The sheets are often double or multi layered, to make the product thicker, smoother and more absorbent. Several varieties can be found on the market, with characteristics that include colored, perfumed, patterned and embossed paper.

History

Throughout history, humans have used different methods of personal hygiene after defecation. In the 8th century, the Japanese used wooden sticks, known as chuugi. The ancient Greeks have used clay and stones. Ancient romans typically used a sponge on a stick, which after use was placed in a bucket of salted water. Other various objects that have been used include wool, hay, snow, hemp, grass, moss, corncobs, seashells and husks. In the United States, around early 20th century, it was common to use the sheets of shopping catalogues for the purpose, to the extent that

some makers would add features to facilitate the practice, such as a hole on a corner that made it easier to hang and pull sheets out.

The first documented use of toilet paper was on the 6th century, by the Chinese (who actually invented paper, on the 2nd century BC), with mass production being recorded as early as the 14th century.

The production of toilet paper has been on the rise, given the global population growth, adoption of western lifestyles and sanitation improvements in developing countries.

Lifecycle

As with most papers, toilet paper is made from cellulose extracted from trees. It is usually made from virgin paper, that is, non recycled, and combines fibers from softwood and hardwood trees (generally in a ratio of 30% and 70%, respectively). Hardwood trees have shorter fibers, which make softer papers.

Besides wood, the production of toilet paper requires water, chemicals for breaking down the trees into usable fiber and bleaches, to make it white. The bleaches composition varies, depending on whether it is virgin or recycled paper. Several of the chemicals used are, in different levels, known threats to the environment, although they are recovered and reused at a rate of about 95%.

Most modern toilet paper is designed to decompose in septic tanks. After use, it is usually flushed down the toilet or disposed as trash. Either way, however may present risks, since human feces from one bowel movement may contain up to billions of hazardous viruses and bacteria. Thus, it may contaminate the soil when disposed of in landfills, while sewage treatment facilities are unlikely to be able to completely disinfect feces contaminated water.

Related Objects

In general, toilet paper is placed in holders designed for that purpose, which can vary greatly in size, shape, color, material and purpose toilet paper holders tend to differ according not only to the kind of roll or stack used, but also to the context it is present. For instance, toilet paper in public venues is likely to be held in bigger, sturdier, lockable dispensers.

Sources

Needham, Volume 5, Part 1, 123.

http://www.enotes.com/toilet-paper-reference/toilet-paper

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6403

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/thegreenguide/2010/04/27000trees-a-day-used-for-toilet-tissue.html