Urinal deodorizer block (nonfiction)

Urinal deodorizer blocks (also called urinal cakes, para blocks, urinal mints, urinal pucks, urinal peons (pee-ons), urinal biscuits, urinal cookies, hockey pucks, toilet pucks, toilet lollies, trough lollies, or urinal donuts) are small disinfectant blocks found in urinals.

The purpose of these blocks is to disinfect, reduce odors, or mask odors of restroom urinals.

They are placed above the urinal drain, often in the confines of a small plastic trap (urinal screen) that prevents their loss down the drain when they dissolve to a small size.

The chemicals composing the block may vary. The original formulations were of naphthalene and later para-dichlorobenzene (pDCB), both now known to be hazardous to health by inhalation. In some areas, the use of para-dichlorobenzene toilet blocks has been banned. Para-dichlorobenzene and naphthalene blocks do not readily dissolve in water or urine, but do easily sublime into the air, creating a sickly-sweet odor and anti-mould and disinfectant effects.

Many urinal blocks are now para-dichlorobenzene-free, water-soluble alternative blocks made from surfactants, which offer some active cleaning efficacy, along with scenting agents.

Other additives may include enzymes to help digest buildup within pipes, and bacterial spores to reduce odor and buildup.

Ice is sometimes used as an alternative.

Fiction cross-reference

• Gnomon algorithm
• Gnomon Chronicles
• Procedurally generated urinal cake

External links

• Urinal deodorizer block @ Wikipedia