According to Waterless.com, "Urine itself is normally sterile, 0% bacterial, unless one has a kidney infection. Fecal matter is 95% bacterial, and may include pathogens."
Yes - urine is dangerous only when you have kidney infections (e.g. UTI, bladder lining, etc.) In these cases (which are very common) the pathogens are very infective (hence there prevalence).
Anyway there are waterless urinals in the malls but one can still smell the offensive odor. Unlike the conventional water flushing urinals, all you have to do is to flush it after use, then problem solved. You can find dozens of companies selling waterless urinals through a simple google search. They claims that said system not only saves water but also treats the urine and helps declog the sewer line.
As food safety practitioner, would you recommend installing waterless urinals in food manufacturing toilets?
*Edit: DISCLAIMER: I'm not connected with the company that produces this waterless urinal treatment system in any way, shape or form and make no recommendations on its value or effectiveness.
According to wikipedia:
"The kidneys extract the soluble wastes from the bloodstream, as well as excess water, sugars, and a variety of other compounds. The resulting urine contains high concentrations of urea, chemicals and other substances, including toxins."
"Urine is sterile until it reaches the urethra where the epithelial cells lining the urethra are colonized by facultatively anaerobic Gram negative rods and cocci.[4] Subsequent to elimination from the body, urine can acquire strong odors due to bacterial action,[citation needed] and in particular the release of asphyxiating ammonia from the breakdown of urea."
"Urine is not toxic.[8] However, being a waste product, it does contain compounds undesirable to the body and can be irritating to skin and eyes. "
Ref.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine[4] ^ Michael T. Madigan; Thomas D. Brock (2009). Brock biology of microorganisms. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 978-0-13-232460-1.
http://books.google....d=12aWQAAACAAJ. Retrieved 10 September 2011. [8] ^ Urine therapy. Vanderbilt.edu (1992-10-16). Retrieved on 2011-04-27.
Based on above information which seem logical on the basis of general academic scientific knowledge and personal observation, facts could be concluded as:
Urine is an undesirable and potentially harmful substance hence not using water for washing out body and area, may raise severe issues of personnel and environmental hygiene that may lead to nonconforming situation to food safety.Additionally If you are certified or are going to be certified as Halal then this MAY lead towards a significant nonconformity due to severe un-hygienic practice as per Islamic Law.
Regards:
M.Zeeshan