‘Do not use’: Warning as alarming public toilet trend hits Australia
A young woman has issued an urgent message for public toilet users after making a “disgusting” discovery while “busting” for the loo.
A concerned Aussie has issued an urgent warning after making a “disgusting” discovery while using a public toilet in Sydney.
Chloe Andrews, 29, was walking along the Nepean River recently when she found herself in desperate need of the loo, so without hesitating, she popped into a nearby lavatory.
However, after entering a communal facility, she spotted something suspicious with the toilet paper inside.
“When I walked into the bathroom, I went to turn to lock the door behind me, and as I did I hit the toilet paper dispenser,” Ms Andrews told news.com.au.
“The impact caused the case to fall off as it was being held together with tape. Instantly I thought that was odd as usually they are locked.
“As I looked down, I saw there were a number of poke holes in the ream of paper. There was also a little bit of blood.”
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In that instant, Ms Andrews – who lives in the Blue Mountains – realised the holes were from needles.
“I’d seen posts about drug users cleaning their needles by stabbing the dirty instrument into the large rolls of toilet paper in public toilets,” she said.
“But those were all overseas, so I was shocked to see it happening in our own backyard.
“You think it’s never going to happen to you, but it does, and that is why I decided to warn people about it on social media.”
Terrifying posts have been circulating TikTok in recent months, mostly from the US, warning people to think twice before using toilet paper in a public toilet in case it has been contaminated.
Studies show that infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, can be transmitted from blood stains, even just a very small amount.
Which means unknowingly coming into contact with blood and bodily fluids from a substance user could have devastating health ramifications.
Because of this, Ms Andrews took her phone out and filmed a video, urging others to check before using tissue in public bathrooms.
“Do not use public toilets,” she stated in her now viral video.
“I was busting for a wee, I walked into the toilet, and as I went to sit down the toilet paper case fell off … there were needle marks in the toilet paper.”
She also shared a series of photos in the clip, explaining “this is what they look like”, before concluding: “Mums, do not let your kids use public toilets.”
After posting her video, Ms Andrews also alerted Penrith City Council, who took swift action and replaced the toilet paper within 24 hours as well as repairing the broken case.
“Unfortunately, public amenities often attract vandalism,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.
“Council responds as a priority when identified during routine inspections and reported by the community.
“The public’s vigilance and co-operation play a crucial role in helping Council maintain and preserve our public spaces.”
A US dad also recently shared his own warning on the alarming topic in a video captioned: “PSA for parents who take their kids to the park.”
In the clip, doting father Cody Zepp showed multiple holes in an industrial sized toilet paper roll, before stating “there are dirt balls cleaning their needles in here”.
Reaction to the online warnings has been huge, with many admitting it was “a new fear unlocked”.
“I never understood why some places locked up the toilet paper holders until now,” shared one.
“Audibly gasped. I never ever have thought about this,” admitted another.
“This is one of my biggest fears! I always check the rolls. It’s freaking disgusting and terrifying. So glad that the cover fell off and you didn’t end up using it,” declared someone else.
While person, who claimed to be a paramedic, added: “I can confirm this happens even in places you would swear it wouldn’t.”
However, several doctors on social media warned contracting a virus through infected toilet paper was a “very rare”.
“I wish this was a joke, but this is a real thing,” warned Dr Joe, an emergency doctor who has amassed a large following sharing handy health advice, on social media recently.
“Some people do clean their dirty needles in public toilet paper rolls.
“It can be obvious at times, but other times it can be subtle, so look out for little puncture marks.”
The huge virality of these warnings has prompted Harm Reduction Services, a California-based organisation that distributes millions of sterile syringes annually, to label it an “urban myth”.
“On a practical level, it is ridiculous, because needles dull very quickly,” the spokesperson said in a video.
“Using dull needles is not only harmful to your health, it’s also incredibly painful, nobody is going to try to clean needles by sticking them into something solid.”
However, there were few who believed the rebuttal, with hundreds responding in the comments to state “it definitely happens”.
“We caught multiple people doing this when I was working at a servo,” said one.
“it definitely happens especially at rest stops,” argued another.
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For Ms Andrews, it isn’t worth the risk.
“It was shocking to see, and it left me so upset, because there are a lot of vulnerable people who use public toilets,” she said.
“More awareness on the issue can only be a good thing, especially when you are using something open to the public.”
