Tuesday, March 7, 2006
AUSTRALIA Sturdier toilets on the way for fast-growing Australians
buttOCIATED PRESS in Sydney
Next Story Updated at 5.32pm: Sturdier toilets may be on their way in Australia to cope with the country's increasingly obese population.
Standards Australia, a nongovernment group that establishes safety and design standards, is considering recommending strengthening loos for larger users, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
Obesity levels have been rising for years in Australia.
Standards Australia spokeswoman Kate Evans said the current industry standard for toilet seats is just 45 kilograms and that the group is looking to increase it to 150 kilograms.
Experts will examine the seats "from the perspective that people are getting bigger," Ms Evans said.
Steve Cummings, a committee member for Standards Australia and head of research and development at toilet maker Caroma Dorf, told Sydney tabloid The Daily Telegraph that toilet seats need to be strengthened for larger Australians.
"If you are going to sit on it, you want it to hold you," he said.
