To Devise Strategies For Diseases Caused By Air Pollutants, Harmful Ultraviolet Radiation

Pune: City-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) plans to devise mitigation strategies for respiratory and skin diseases caused by air pollutants and harmful ultraviolet radiation, with help from medical institutions in the city. The institute plans to use the data generated by its system of air quality forecasting and research (SAFAR) for the purpose.

Doctors and scientists from various parts of the country, who were here to attend a three-day Punjab Science Congress, today said that environmental toxicity in Punjab was high.

Some scientists were of the opinion that all the three major types of toxicity —chemical, radiation and biological — were rampant in Punjab. A section of doctors observed that government spending on the public health care in the state was far from satisfactory. “The adverse effects of toxicity on animals and humans are visible and some studies have proved this. It is clear that Punjab is in a deep ecological crisis for rampant use of chemicals and pesticide in agriculture,” said Dr SS Gill, Vice Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS).

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has stepped up efforts to pursue a “develop-educate-regulate” approach to spread awareness among public and for enforcement of regulatory requirements.

An AERB official told Business Standard: “AERB, which is entrusted with the responsibility of developing and enforcing nuclear and radiation safety regulations in the country, has the mandate to keep the public informed on radiation and nuclear safety related matters. Public outreach is an essential element to build long-lasting trust and confidence with media and public.”

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha is all set to have a Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) soon. It will have the mandate to ensure that radiation in radio diagnostic facilities does not cause health hazards. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of the Union government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government in this regard on Thursday.

AERB, constituted in 1983, is entrusted with carrying out certain regulatory and safety functions of radiation and nuclear energy in India. It has to ensure that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy does not harm health and environment.

Japan’s nuclear regulators on Monday presented a draft outline of new safety measures to prevent or minimise the consequences of severe accidents like Fukushima nuclear disaster.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, resident associations tired of complaining to the government about radiations from cell towers have now decided to take matters into their own hands: they are goi

Citing a possibility of severe disruption in cellular services in the state, telecom operators on Friday moved the Supreme Court against a Rajasthan High Court’s order on removal of all mobile phon

Japan's new government said on Friday it hoped to stick to a three year deadline to decide whether to restart all nuclear reactors after safety checks, despite the country's newly formed nuclear re