In the infinite universe of personal cleanliness, hand washing with soap represents an undisputed pillar, a silent hero in the battle against infectious diseases. But not everyone has the luxury of a constant supply of soap, particularly in developing countries like Tanzania. And this is where Tab Soap comes in.
A premise to talk about hands tied by poverty
It may seem surprising to you: in 2020, only the 13% of households in a typical small town in Tanzania had handwashing facilities. I stand corrected: it's not surprising. IT'S DRAMATIC. But a team of researchers did not let the data discourage them: on the contrary, they rolled up their sleeves and developed “Tab Soap”. This is a completely new hand washing technology, based on special strips of bamboo-based fabric, biodegradable and soaked in soap. Once used, each tab can be thrown into a pit toilet, where it decomposes. A real disposable hygiene treasure.
From theory to practice: the field test
The researchers tested Tab Soap in the field, in the Dar es Salaam and Morogoro regions of Tanzania. They collected feedback, discussed with local soap retailers and monitored electronic usage of the product. It wasn't just a technical challenge: it was about challenging a culture where sharing soap is seen as a possible vehicle of contamination. Yet, Tab Soap was successful. And the results were published in PLOS (I link them to you here).
Future of soap, future of hygiene
Although “regular” soap is used for many cleaning tasks, feedback on the Tab Soap has been overwhelmingly positive. The advantages? It is disposable, so reduces fears of cross-contamination. It is designed for hand washing only, reducing the risk of product abuse. And its cost is comparable to alternatives such as liquid soap. “Given the importance of hand hygiene in many public health contexts, including pandemic control, we believe this finding should generate broad interest,” the researchers concluded.
In the vast landscape of global challenges, hand hygiene may seem small. Yet, with innovative initiatives like Tab Soap, it can lead to big changes. This disposable, biodegradable soap isn't just a hygiene product: it's a symbol of how creativity, technology and tenacity can break down barriers to hygiene and global health. In a world where every drop of water counts, Tab Soap could be one of the answers we are looking for.
