Humanure for Rural Africa: Science, Safety, and WHO Guidelines

Friend says human feces + ash = fertilizer after time. Want to develop sanitation program in rural Africa. Term: "Humanure" (Joseph Jenkins, 1994). WHO guidelines exist: Safe Use of Wastewater/Excreta.

Key Risks

1. Handlers collecting/treating/applying — disease exposure.
2. Consumers eating potentially contaminated food.

Treatment Methods

• Effective composting: 6+ years, bacteria/fungi/specialized microbes.
• Local materials (wood shavings, coconut husks) as carbon source.
• Multiple purification paths to safe fertilizer or even drinking water.

Real-World Examples

• IslandWood School (WA): compost toilets, solar, passive airflow.
• UBC C.K. Choi Building: compost toilets/urinals, award-winning green design.

Future Is Now

"We borrow Earth from our children." Third World isn't only place for this — everywhere should adopt. Thanks for the vital work.