{"id":946,"date":"2026-05-25T13:03:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T13:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/?p=946"},"modified":"2026-05-25T13:03:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T13:03:57","slug":"the-real-reason-why-public-toilet-seats-have-gaps-in-them-and-its-not-as-gross-as-you-might-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/?p=946","title":{"rendered":"The real reason why public toilet seats have gaps in them \u2014 and it\u2019s not as gross as you might think"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This is news for those who skeeve public toilet seats.<\/p>\n

There are many unspoken, strange things in a public restroom \u2014 the gaps in toilet seats are one of them.<\/p>\n

And while you might think it\u2019s a manufacturing error, there\u2019s actually a very real, legal reason why public toilet seats look the way they do compared to your porcelain throne at home.<\/p>\n

Since 1955, that center gap in a public toilet seat has been required in every public restroom across the country, thanks to the\u00a0American\u00a0Standard National Plumbing Code<\/a>, which states, \u201cWater closets shall be equipped with seats of smooth non-absorbent material. All seats of water closets provided for public use shall be of the open-front type.\u201d<\/p>\n