American Standard Elements Showroom
The Plumber Protects: Raising the Standard of Sanitation Around the World
Awareness of the plumber’s role is not as high, however, with just over half agreeing that plumbers play a critical role in protecting their family’s health and safety, and the well being of their community. Why? Plumbers have done their jobs all too well! Universal access to clean and convenient plumbing is a given in the developed world. We enjoy the labors of plumbers and pipefitters, product developers and engineers, without a second thought. It’s easy for us to simply flush and forget.“The Plumber Protects the Health of the Nation.” More than 80 years ago, American Standard began its storied campaign to raise awareness about the vital contribution of plumbers in protecting our health and well-being. Today, 83 percent of North American consumers surveyed recognize that the plumbing system in their home is essential to their family’s health and safety.
Which is likely why few people in North America realize that more than 2.5 billion people worldwide face critical health challenges living without access to adequate sanitation. There are few plumbers. There are few flush toilets. Unsafe disposal of waste contaminates food and drinking water, leading to problems like diarrheal diseases that kill more than 2,000 children per day.
A small plastic toilet pan designed to be connected to a simple latrine pit provides a tight seal to keep out flies and prevent dangerous cross-contamination. These sanitary toilet pans are designed to be affordable, easy to maintain and simple to use.In 2013, American Standard is launching an ambitious effort to once again raise awareness of how plumbers protect the health of the world. Deploying the same engineering know-how that led to the breakthrough Champion flushing system, the research and development team at American Standard created a new sanitary toilet pan to help solve a health crisis where plumbing infrastructure doesn't exist.
For every Champion toilet sold in 2013, American Standard will donate a sanitary toilet pan to a developing country. The company is actively promoting this "Buy a Champion, Be a Champion" campaign through consumer advertising, public relations and social media. By raising awareness of these global sanitation issues, American Standard is also raising awareness of what plumbers provide to help improve the health and safety of our world and our children.
Why champion a cause that is half a world away? The bathroom and kitchen symbolize the most fundamental aspects of the human condition. Our bodies bring nourishment in and expel waste out. When we look at the bathroom, we look at the core of who we are, at our deepest roots – it’s the one thing all humans share.
It’s also the story of why plumbers are so important. Be a champion to the world in 2013, and help us provide solutions to a global health crisis.
Yes, a toilet can be that powerful.