Earth - A planet only YOU can save

Every year since 1970, 22^nd April is celebrated as Earth Day to raise awareness about the Earth’s issue and problems. Following are some of drastic changes observed globally since 1970;

• Global Carbon Emissions increased 2.4 times (14.9 to 36.3 billion tons) causing temperatures to rise (0.22 to 0.99*C)
•  Sea ice has melted from 7.2 to 4.7 million Km² (13% Decline per decade) and Sea levels risen up to 10 cm
• Global Population has Doubled (3.7 Billion to 7.5 Billion) and fresh water consumption has quadrupled
• Many animals species have shrunk and 170 animal species have been declared extinct globally

Similarly, according to UN since 1990, every year 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed globally and Pakistan has lost 24.7% of its forest cover, or around 625,000 hectares. If present situation persists, can you imagine what would be the future Earth days look like?

Despite all this there is hope that one man can save it and that one is YOU! Because we know you love Earth and want to protect it and we’ve got some tips to help you do it

·         Plant a tree in your community

·         Turn off lights- Electricity doesn’t just happen. it has to be produced from things around us.

·         Consume less paper in every form

·         Limit your water usage- It might seem like it’s everywhere, but clean, drinkable water is a limited resource.

·         Spread the word and celebrate everyday as Earth Day. #I’mHSE

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Slow the Flow-Save Water for Tomorrow (World Water Day)

Currently 783 million people don’t have access to safe drinking water and one child is dying every 2 minutes due to Diarrhea disease. Population has doubled in last 40 years and water usage has quadrupled. According to UN- “By 2050, 1 in 5 developing nation will face water shortage”.

Keeping in mind that out of 3% usable water only one percent of total earth’s water is accessible, let’s consider the following facts on leaks

•  A leaky faucet dripping at rate of 1 drop per second can result in 3000 gallons of waste water per year
• A shower leaking at rate of 10 drips per minute can waste more than 500 gallons per year
• A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons per day

According to EPA- water sense “the average household leaks account for more than 10,000 gallons of water annually which is enough for 27 loads of laundry”

So don’t ignore a running toilet, dripping faucet or squishy spot on the lawn. Fix those leaks besides ensuring efficient consumption of water via good equipment and good practices.

Let’s observe Water Day on 21^st March with resolution to start saving water as EVERY DROP COUNTS!”

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Minus One- A Formula to Reduce Deforestation

According to the United Nations (UN), every year 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed. Between 1990 and 2005, Pakistan has lost 24.7% of its forest cover, or around 625,000 hectares. The purpose behind celebrating the World Forest day on 21^st March is to raise awareness about the importance of forests.

The often ignored facts that highlight the importance of forests include:

• Forests function as "carbon sinks"  because they absorb and store carbon for long periods of time and release the oxygen (O₂) back into the air
• They are home to 80% of worlds flora and fauna
• Strategically placed trees in urban areas have the potential to cool the air between 2 and 8 degrees celcius.
• Deforestation is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions and major soil erosion and flooding’s around the world.

So How can you contribute towards solving the problem?

By introducing “-1” formula! A simple yet considerable effort to reduce deforestation. Before printing reduce the font size by “1” e.g, if its “11” make it “10”. Using smaller font can save up to 18% of paper consumption during printing (20.70 sheets every year). Using both side of paper in printing, planting trees & promoting 3R’s practice can also greatly assist in battling deforestation.

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Office Ergonomics for more productive (and pain free) work day

Most people have heard of ergonomics and think it is something to do with seating or with the design of car controls and instruments – and it is… but it is so much more. Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them.

In our daily lives we see too many workplace injuries that could be avoided. And prevention is better than cure. Recent research has shown that lower back pain (spinal disorder) is the world’s most common work-related disability affecting employees. Also, the results that came from studies on the health effects of a prolong sitting have shown greater risk of premature dying.  From the list of health issues that result from prolonged sitting, few among major ones could be:

i) Heart attack

 Prolonged sitting has been linked to high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, and people with the most sitting time are more than twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease as those with the least.

ii) Diabetes 

Cells in idle muscles don't respond as readily to insulin, so the pancreas produces more and more, which can lead to diabetes and other diseases. A 2011 study found a decline in insulin response after just one day of prolonged sitting

iii) Spinal injury

When sitting in an office chair for a long period, the natural tendency for most people is to slouch over or slouch down in the chair, and this posture can overstretch the spinal ligaments and strain the discs and surrounding structures in the spine. Over time and incorrect sitting posture can damage spinal structures and contribute to or worsen back pain.

“But that’s nature of my job.. there is no way to avoid work without sitting for considerable duration”- that’s what you have thinking after all, right?  But here are few tips that you can follow to avoid falling for ergonomic hazards:

v  Stand Up for Your Spine
If you don’t have a sit-stand desk, you can still address situation and protect your spine. Consider these tips:

• Do some work standing at a high table or counter.
• Rather than having a meeting in a conference room, invite your coworkers to walk laps during your discussion.
• Set a timer for a stand-and-stretch break every 30 minutes.  
• Visit a coworker in person as opposed to emailing them.
• Park your car a bit further from your office to sneak in some extra steps.
• Take a short walk during your lunch break and don’t keep water bottle near your table.

  vAdopting correct Posture:

• Sitting upright in chair and ensure use of adequate chair that supports natural curve of spine else lumbar support can be used to support lower back for correct posture.
• Both feet should be resting flat on floor with slight fingers gap between seat edge and knee back
• Sit closely to your desk so that your upper arms are parallel to your spine, avoid leaning forward.
• Use of an armrest on your office chair is important to take some of the strain off your upper spine and shoulders, and it should make you less likely to slouch forward in your chair.
•  Adjusting brightness of your screen to avoid glare and reflection that could result in compromised posture and eye strain as well
• Use of wireless mouse and keyboard with wrist support
• Adjusting eye level- your gaze to meet at top of your screen. If your computer screen is higher or lower than your gaze. Use laptop holder for right height and reduce strain on the upper spine.
• Know you know it!

Share your feedback ans stay tuned for more on HSE Articles!

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Cellular Radiation Safety- How to Protect Ourselves

The world has experienced a phenomenal growth in the number of smartphone users. The increased use of smartphones has raised public interest in possible health issues associated with exposure to electromagnetic energy. People are concerned about exposure from Smartphone handsets & cell tower base stations.

Radio signals are part of everyday life, emitted both by natural sources like the sun, the Earth and the ionosphere, and by artificial sources such as: 4G LTE cell tower base stations, broadcast towers, radar facilities, remote controls, medical, electrical and electronic equipment. The radio frequency sources include transmitting towers such as AM, FM radio towers, TV towers, Cell phone towers, etc. emit radio frequency/ microwave radiation continuously. The level of EMF from sources has risen exponentially, by soaring popularity of wireless technology such as smartphones, cordless phones, Wi-Fi (Wireless Internet) Wi-max and other wireless devices. The Smartphone and its base station communicate using a two way radio communication. This radio communication produces Electro-magnetic fields.

The Precautionary Measures that need to be taken to avoid these radiations include:

- Wi-Fi Routers /Boosters should be placed at a distance.

- Switch off the Data Pack on mobile and Wi-Fi when not in use.

(Air tube Headset are best for use)

- While sleeping keep all the cordless devices at a safe distance from you

- Communicate through SMS as an alternate to calling.

- Use Wired Headsets for long conversations.


- Daily talk time should not exceed 16-24 minutes.

- Mobile Phones having ‘SAR’ (Specific Absorption Rate) value less than 1.6W/kg should be bought.

- Avoid placing mobile phones directly over pacemakers

- Keep distance – Hold the cell phone away from body to the extent possible

- Use a headset (or ear bud) to keep the handset farther from your head.


- Limit the length of mobile calls.

- Use text as compared to voice wherever possible

- Put the cell phone on speaker mode- If the radio signal is weak, a mobile phone will increase its transmission power.

- Find a strong signal and avoid movement – Use your phone where reception is good.

- Metal & water are good conductors of radio waves so avoid using a mobile phone while wearing metal-framed glasses or having wet hair.

- Let the call connect before putting the handset on your ear or start speaking and listening – A mobile phone first makes the communication at higher power and then reduces power to an adequate level. more power is radiated during call connecting time

- If you have a choice, use a landline (wired) phone, not a mobile phone.

- When your phone is ON, don’t carry it in shirt or pant pocket. When a mobile phone is on, it automatically transmits at high power every one or two minutes to check (poll) the network.

- Reduce mobile phone use by children as a younger person will likely have a longer lifetime exposure to radiation from cell phones

- People having active medical implants should preferably keep the cell phone at least 15 cm away from the implant.

- Studies suggest that atleast 400m distance from Cellular tower should be kept to reman safe from harmful effects. Also, to prevent overlapping high radiations fields, new towers should not be permitted within a radius of one kilometer of existing towers.  If new towers must be built, construct them to be above 80 feet and below 199 feet … to avoid the requirement for aviation safety lighting


References:
https://www.rfsafe.com/cell-tower-radiation-impact-humans-environment/
http://naturalsociety.com/cellphone-tower-emr-damaging-birds-insects-humans/

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