About 60% of Americans use a public restroom one to five times a week, according to the latest annual hand washing survey conducted by Bradley Corporation.
Besides using the toilet and washing their hands, the top five things Americans do in a public restroom are: check their appearance, blow their nose or cough, get away, use their cell phone and change clothes. By far, 18-34 year olds use public restrooms the most frequently with three to 10 stops a week.
“When we looked at how people ‘get away’ in a public restroom, we found 27% use it as a place to take a mental health break, avoid someone, hide, and even cry,” says Jon Dommisse, director of strategy and corporate development for Bradley Corp. “Almost a third of the population go to the restroom for respite.”
That begs the question about whether designers of public restrooms should build in space and benches for people to recompose themselves. This may be happening already, with family restrooms having grown in popularity in the past decade. Some 76% of parents have availed themselves of a family restroom to, among other things, change a diaper, change clothes, wash a child’s face, and calm a child.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2016
New OSHA rules to reduce fall and trip hazards
Employers can choose from a variety of fall protection systems.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2016
Seattle imposes new construction regulation to address rat problem
The city ranks first in U.S. in rat population.
Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2016
Construction groups sue New York City over crane safety regulation
The rule bans cranes from operating when wind exceeds 30 mph.
Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2016
Marines plan first net zero energy military base
The Albany, Ga., site will have ground source heat pumps and a biomass generator.
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2016
Mahesh Ramanujam takes reins as U.S. Green Building Council President and CEO
Ramanujam brings his tech and business consulting background to the post.
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2016
Canada GBC launching Zero Carbon Buildings Initiative
First step toward Zero Carbon Building Standard.
Codes and Standards | Nov 17, 2016
Santa Monica, Calif., passes historic net-zero ordinance
Includes more stringent commercial, multifamily building standards.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2016
Six more states approve legal marijuana, creating opportunities for developers
Federal prohibition complicates the picture.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2016
Los Angeles voters approve billions to tackle traffic and homelessness
The approved measures will create new rail lines and permanent housing.
Codes and Standards | Nov 9, 2016
NRMCA updates environmental impacts of concrete
The EPD now includes 88 companies, 72 mixes.
