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The Leonard Lopate Show / October 21, 2008 / The Unmentionable World of Human Waste

The Unmentionable World of Human Waste

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

As the world’s population grows, our sewer systems are being strained to their limits. And right here in the U.S., nearly 2 million people don’t have access to an indoor toilet! Rose George, author of The Big Necessity, talks about the global politics of defecation, and why it’s a major public health issue that should be openly discussed.


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  • [1] mLu from NJ October 21, 2008 - 01:22PM

    Am I the only one having trouble hearing the interview over the sounds of my own vomitting? Hello..it's lunch time! This tops the bedbugs show. Will she be a guest on Jon Stewart tonight? That should be good.


  • [2] Paul from Montclair, NJ October 21, 2008 - 01:26PM

    "Digesters," machines that are increasingly being used to process animal waste on farms, may offer an energy-generating solution for human waste as well:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/business/businessspecial2/24farmers.html?scp=1&sq=Digester&st=cse
  • [3] YVAN from NEW YORK , NY October 21, 2008 - 01:27PM

    THIS IS A GREAT SUBJECT..

    COMING FROM THE CARIBBEAN...I WISH THAT THE PEOPLE REALIZE (IN THE COUNTRYSIDE) THAT WEARING A SANDAL COULD HELP THEM FROM GETTING

    SOME PARASITES THAT WILL GET THEM SICK ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN....CAN YOU PLEASE MAKE

    A COMMENT ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN...THANKS
  • [4] Jeffrey Slott from East Elmhurst October 21, 2008 - 01:29PM

    I sincerely congratulate Ms. George for writing this book and to you, Mr. Lopate, for the interview.

    It's such a shame that so many people are so immature to properly deal with this phenomenom, even it that ignorance jeopardises their very health and environment.
  • [5] Ellen from Manhattan October 21, 2008 - 01:42PM

    Doesn't Paris have a sewer museum or something like that?
  • [6] David Blaustein October 21, 2008 - 01:46PM

    Please ask guest whether Japan actually recycles purified human waste as a food product. I remember reading something about this a while ago in Discovery magazine and can't find it since. Not kidding.
  • [7] Jeffrey Slott from East Elmhurst October 21, 2008 - 01:55PM

    mLu from NJ:

    Why are you listening then? Especially when it is possible to listen to the program (if you care to) by streaming (no pun intended) at a later date.
  • [8] anonyme from NY NY October 21, 2008 - 04:46PM

    I heard that fancy hotels in Mongolia have composting toilets!

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