Difference Between Hygiene and Sanitation

Hygiene vs Sanitation

People for thousands of years has been evolved from being not so conscious about the cleanliness of the surroundings up to knowing the harmful effects and benefits of being clean and green. Thus, today, we humans always aim for cleanliness. There is a saying that “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” This is true.

The concepts of hygiene and sanitation have been introduced to us since we were young. Proper hygiene was always taught to us by our teachers, parents, and medical professionals such as doctors, dentists, and nurses. Are there any differences between hygiene and sanitation? Let us find out.

“Hygiene” is defined as a cumulative group of practices that is perceived by groups of people to be a way towards healthy living or good health. “Sanitation,” on the other hand, is defined as the way in which humans promote healthy living and good health by preventing human contact with wastes and other forms of microorganisms that cause disease.

In short, both words are meant for prevention and health promotion. Hygiene is often associated with the human body. We use the word “hygiene” for our body by brushing our teeth, taking a bath, and so on and so forth. Handwashing is also part of hygiene and is considered as the universal precaution in preventing the transmission of microorganisms.

“Sanitation,” on the other hand, is for human waste, environmental waste, and other forms of waste. There are different types of sanitation such as basic sanitation which is the management of human feces, on-site sanitation which is the way humans dispose and treat other forms of waste, food sanitation which is the proper handling of food, environmental sanitation which occupies industrial sanitation and the like, and lastly, ecological sanitation which tries to copy how nature works through the recycling of human and animal waste into a more useful form of material.

The concepts of hygiene and sanitation are important to human health as well as the health of the rest of the species in this planet. We should take care of each other. We should also be responsible for each other. Since we only have one planet, then we humans should take the initiative in bringing in harmony and peace to our green planet.

Summary:

1. “Hygiene” is defined as a cumulative group of practices that is perceived by groups of people to be a way towards healthy living or good health. “Sanitation,” on the other hand, is defined as the way in which humans promote healthy living and good health by preventing human contact with waste and other forms of microorganisms that cause
disease.
2. Hygiene is for humans while sanitation is for the waste around us.