 |
|
| Wednesday,
July 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
|
|||
Petrol station workers face lead hazard CHANDIGARH, July 24—The amount of lead in the blood of petrol station workers and automobile mechanics is approximately five times higher than normal.This has been revealed in a joint study by the Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Internal Medicine of the PGI here. According to a report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) published in 1995of all heavy elements that contaminate the environment and pose a potential hazard to public health, lead can result in a wide range of biological effects depending upon the level and duration of exposure. Previous work carried out in the field tell that occupational exposure can result in poisoning, both moderate and clinically symptomatic. Although automobile battery manufacture and radiator repair, secondary smelters and vehicular emissions are found in most countries, it is a country like ours where occupational lead exposure is entirely unregulated and there is no monitoring of exposure. Lead used in petrol to improve the efficiency of engine is a major source of wide spread lead contamination at the petrol filling stations and automobile repair market. The major route of lead intake is through the respiratory tract. The combustion of alkyl lead is the predominant source of increased lead in environment. According to the study, the conversion of the organic into triethyl and organic lead probably takes place in liver. Lead circulating in the blood stream is mobile and in contrast to the lead stored in the bones this could have an adverse effect on the body. The effects of lead at the subcellular and the overall functioning of the body range from inhibition of enzymes to some marked morphological changes. Lead can cause profound hematological, neurological, gastrointestinal, renal, rheumatological and endocrine manifestations in human beings. This is true even at the levels previously considered safe. This latest study was carried out by Dr Baljinder Singh, Dr Vinod Chandran, Dr Harish K. Bandhu, Dr Bhagwant R. Mittal, Dr Anish Bhattacharya, Dr Surinder K. Jindal and Dr Subhash Verma on 58 men. According to Dr Baljinder Singh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nuclear Medicine," these were the people engaged in petrol filling and automobile repair jobs at four different petrol stations and automobile service stations in Chandigarh. Our aim was to see the impact of lead exposure on the pituitary-thyroid axis in humans. Though we concluded that the amount of lead in our study group did not have any significant effect on the thyroid but the fact remains that both its organic and inorganic form is a health risk factor," he remarked. Lead can lead to poisoning after high grade exposure. It accumulates and exert toxic effects on blood and the nervous systems. In an recent study by Dr H.K. Bandhu and others, it was revealed that environmental lead levels in Chandigarh were higher by a factor of 10 to 12 at polluted as compared to non-polluted zones.  |
|
PGI's HoD quits CHANDIGARH, Dr Verma confirmed the news, saying he wished to go in for private practice. "It will enable me treat the patients with more care," he claimed. Not disclosing any specific reasons for quitting, he said the future was not bright for doctors at the institute. "More resignations will follow, just as it is happening in places like Delhi," he asserted. |
|
Authorities do little to check noise pollution THE city of Chandigarh, which was the most peaceful, quiet and serene about two decades back, has today fallen victim to the menace of noise pollution, posing a serious threat to the health of the residents. The rise in the noise level of City Beautiful has been indeed alarming. The raised human voices, the loud sounds emanating from sources like loudspeakers, construction sites, automobiles, microphones, and industrial sites have been responsible for raising the noise level and pollution which have become a major hazard to modern living. Everyday gadgets like coolers, electric fans and generators have been instrumental in increasing the pollution. Drivers of scooters, cars, trucks and buses have become habitual of blowing the horn both intermittently and without any break even at places where it is not required. Pressure horns blown by bus drivers on the city roads create a lot of nuisance and irritation for cyclist, rickshaw-pullers and
pedestrian. This very habit of most of the drivers of the city not only causes irritation but also health problems. I remember having been fined five pounds for blowing the horn of my car in the horn-prohibited zone of the West Kensington area of London in 1968. That time, such an amount was of a fairly good monetary value. The lesson taught to me by the London Traffic Police cautioned me for the future. The offices of the BBC, a hospital and a number of homes for the aged and destitute were located in that zone. It has been noticed that in Chandigarh, even hospitals have been affected from noise pollution caused by the
aero planes flying at low heights. It is sad to note that the majority of the residents of Chandigarh are unaware of the damages caused to the health by the noise pollution. It has been observed that the residents complain of the loud noise produced by vehicles, loudspeakers and stereosystems installed in most of the markets by the audio-cassette dealers as well as the residents in their houses who tune them to the highest volume while ignoring and even laughing away the stiff opposition and protest from the neighbours. It is surprising that the authorities, which boast of having kept the city pollution-free, have ignored this vital issue. The loud noise impairs the health of the people in more ways than one. It causes disturbance in sleep which leads to other side effects. The people are likely to suffer from both physiological and psychological defects as a result of exposure to noise. Most of the people are apparently unaware of the fact that noise causes a hugs loss of nervous energy. That’s why, it has been noticed that in Chandigarh, housewives working in the kitchen with all types of electric gadgets often suffer from severe headache caused by their vibrations and noise. In Britain, the researchers of the ear, nose and throat diseases have proved that the threshold hearing i.e. the softest sound that can be picked up by a person’s ears, is higher in people living in the cities than those in the countryside. In case of factory workers, and people employed in noisy work-places, the hearing loss is even much more. It has been recorded that a large number of snorers form a part of the population of the city of Chandigarh. A survey of some localities proves that the kith and kin of the snorers are so weary of them that at night, they are on the look out of some separate place in their houses where they could have sound sleep. It is worth mentioning that the level of noise tolerance among people is not static. It varies from one functional place to another. People will not mind a lot of noise at busy traffic, bus stands, or at big railway stations, as this is their ‘passage space’. But even a little more than half that noise level tends to irritate them if they are at their place of work or home. In an average quiet room, the normal sound level is 50 decibels if a moderate conversation is going on. But in calm and quiet places like libraries and radio recording studios, it drops to 30 decibels. Trucks, buses and scooters create a noise level of 90 decibels. In a factory, the noise level exceeds 100 decibels, whereas a jet plane in the process of taking off creates a noise level of 150 decibels. Beyond the 100 decibel level, however, sound becomes very uncomfortable and above 120 decibels, it is painful. Though there is no law in our country which exclusively deals with noise and its control, there does exist sufficient legislation to help control noise pollution. The Indian Penal Code, which provides the basic text for criminal offences contains indirect provisions (using the term ‘public nuisance’) for control of noise pollution. The Motor Vehicles Act, enacted in 1939, has direct provisions dealing with noise pollution caused by motor vehicles. The operative canvas for the control of noise pollution exists at the grassroots level. It is the citizen, the policeman, and other law enforcing authorities who are the principal actors in the noise pollution control scene. Unless an awareness and realisation of the harm done by noise pollution is brought about, prosecution of the offending citizens might not be well taken. Only enlightened people’s action can go a long way in controlling the noise pollution at the source level itself.
— J.S. Bedi |
|
New Medical
Superintendent CHANDIGARH,
The Chandigarh Administration had about a month ago repatriated Dr Chaudhary, but asked him to continue till his successor joined. Dr Chaudhary has gone on promotion as Director, Health Services, Haryana-cum-Project Director (AIDS cell).
|
|
2 PGI doctors appointed consultants CHANDIGARH, According to the letter sent by the Commandant, Chandi Mandir, they have been appointed for a period of three years with effect from April 2000. The terms and conditions specify that they will provide free consultation to members of the armed forces at the request of service medical authorities, and that they will perform or be willing to perform major operations and surgical procedures as and when required. The appointment of these doctors will enable the armed forces to make use of their skill in emergencies, besides using their knowledge at the teaching level. They will also be instrumental in affecting policy decisions.
|
Sports wings for 2000-2001 CHANDIGARH, July 25 — The UT Sports Department will start sports wings for 2000-2001 in hockey, handball, basketball and lawn tennis for girls and in volleyball, kabaddi, football, table tennis and cricket for boys. A diet money of Rs 15 per day per head will be given to the selected players after their evening session practice. The trials were held today for Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18 (hockey-14 seats), Government Model High School, Sector 26 (volleyball-12 seats), Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 8 (handball-10 seats) and Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanas (kabaddi-12 seats). Tomorrow the trials will be held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 8 (football-12 seats), Dev Samaj Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 21 (basketball-10 seats), Carmel Convent School, Sector 9 (lawn tennis-10 seats), New Public School, Sector 18 (table tennis-10 seats) and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23 (cricket-10 seats). Body-building meet: Cricket academy: Sabeeha returns: CRA office-bearers: Football team: Karate tourney:
|
3500
constables to be promoted PANCHKULA,
He made the announcements after laying the foundation stone of the office building of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation to be developed over an area of 3000
sq m in Sector 6 of the city. Mr Chautala said that the 3500 Constables who had completed 16 years of service would get the rank of Head Constable. He also acceded to the request of reduction in concessional bus fare rates, which had been hiked to Rs 100 per month. He assured the personnel that the charges would be hiked in proportion to the hike in bus fare. In the appointment of Constables, Mr Chautala informed that merit and physical standards would be adhered to and there would be no political interference. He added that the appointments had been necessitated on account of shortage of staff in view of the growing population of the state. The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation in the state, which he said was far better than many other states. Addressing the gathering, he informed that his government was committed to giving maximum benefits to the police personnel. The holding of a meeting of the welfare committee in Hisar was a step in this direction since it aimed at redressing grievances of the personnel. Mr Chautala was informed that the new office building of the Haryana Police Housing would have the facility of solar energy, an indoor badminton court and a gymnasium besides other sports
facilities. |
|
MC silent on details of funds received CHANDIGARH, The reply contains details of funds spent on the maintenance of cattle ponds and it was filed consequent upon enquiries regarding the use of funds raised by a city resident in the court earlier in 1998. Interesting, however, is the fact that after going through the reply of the MC, it comes to light that the detail of money received for the maintenance of cattle ponds has still not been given. The interrogatory application filed in this regard on December 21, 1998, had specifically asked the MC to divulge details of “funds received and utilised on cattle ponds”. In the reply submitted in the court of Sub Judge Mr Mahender Singh where the PIL has been pending for almost three years now, the MC has given a statement of funds spent on the purchase of vehicles and some used to purchase fodder. The MC has further maintained that no separate budget is sanctioned for the purchase of cattle ponds. The claims of the MC notwithstanding, the situation in the cattle ponds is still as grim as it was on September 11, 1997 , the day when the ponds were transferred to the Corporation. The PIL seeking to direct the MC to provide fodder, water and shelter to the cattle was filed way back on October 9, 1997. Ever since, the issue has been pending in the court. In the PIL, it had also been mentioned that the three cattle ponds of Sector 25, 45 and Industrial Area were not appropriate for housing animals. Till today, the state of affairs is not very good, with the cattle still dying due to lack of proper
facilities. The suit had earlier also stated that cattle are being devoid of fodder and water and in the ponds. The plaintiff had added that the same was a glaring violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and had sought a direction from the court that immediate provision of fodder and water be made. With the MC not yet divulging the details of money received for the maintenance of cattle ponds, the issue is still hanging fire. As for the facilities in cattle ponds of the city, a visit shows that they are yet to be
provided.
|
|
Grant for
ex-serviceman SAS NAGAR,
Lieut-Col Angad Singh (retd), General Secretary of the league, said the ex-servicemen in his eighties was suffering from paralysis. He was enrolled in Armoured Corps and after training was posted to 45 Cavalry. His regiment had moved to Pakistan on Partition. After being discharged from service, he took up agriculture in his ancestral village. But poor yield from the land had driven him to poverty. |
|
Dossier approved CHANDIGARH,
Ms Mahajan said that the dossier would be despatched to all 10 shortlisted architects by August 4. A time frame had been set for 10 shortlisted architects to submit their master plans. |
|
Delhi firm for Sector 17’s value enhancement CHANDIGARH, July 25 — The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has appointed a Delhi-based firm, Infrastructure Professionals Enterprises, as consultant for the value enhancement of Sector 17, with a view to develop it a major tourist attraction. According to sources, the firm, which has gave presentations several times, will be given 90 days' time to complete the job. It will suggest a comprehensive action plan to carry out the implementation of the maintenance and management approaches for the common areas and detailed survey report of the names of residents,
shop owners, office-goers and visitors to the complex. The organisational structure of the
implementing agency and cash flow statements of the operations will also be under the purview of the survey of the firm. An amount of Rs 4,75,000, plus a 5 per cent surcharge, will be paid to the firm for the consultancy. Scheme reviewed: Saplings planted:
|
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
