On World Toilet Day, 1 billion people have none - UN

LONDON -- Some 2.4 billion people around the world don't have access to decent sanitation and more than a billion are forced to defecate in the open, risking disease and other dangers, according to the United Nations.

Launching its World Toilet Day campaign for Nov 19, the UN said poor sanitation increases the risk of illness and malnutrition, especially for children, and called for women and girls in particular to be offered safe, clean facilities.

"One out of three women around the world lack access to safe toilets," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. "As a result they face disease, shame and potential violence when they seek a place to defecate."

Even where there are toilets around the world, some hardly warrant the name, as illustrated by Reuters in a photo essay from around the world (reut.rs/20WNAs2).

In a Syrian refugee settlement camp in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, for example, toilets surrounded by graffiti-covered corrugated sheet sit right up against flimsy tents. In the Marcory district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a "private" stall is simply built of spare bits of lumber and metal.

The U.N. says that while there is sufficient fresh water on the planet for everyone, "bad economics and poor infrastructure" mean that every year millions of people -- most of them children -- die from diseases linked to poor sanitation, unhygienic living conditions and lack of clean water supplies.

"We have a moral imperative to end open defecation and a duty to ensure women and girls are not at risk of assault and rape simply because they lack a sanitation facility," Ban said.

source: interaksyon.com

WANT TO SAVE LIVES? Promote handwashing with soap to cut 1,400 child deaths daily - UN

NEW YORK -- Millions of children Tuesday took part in the sixth annual United Nations-backed Global Handwashing Day, driving home the message that the simple use of soap and water could slash highly preventable diarrheal diseases that kill 1,400 children under five every day.

“Washing hands before eating and after defecation drastically reduces the spread of diarrheal disease and has far reaching effects on the health and welfare of children and communities,” the global head of the UN's Children’s Fund (Unicef) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) programs, Sanjay Wijesekera, said in a message marking the Day, whose theme this year is "The Power Is in our Hands."

“The simple act of handwashing with soap is one of the most effective ways to save children’s lives.”

In Ethiopia, some five million children participated in handwashing demonstrations and workshops around the country.

In Yemen, Global Handwashing Day celebrations took place in 3,300 schools, involving 1.4 million children. There is also a mass media campaign aimed at sensitizing the public around handwashing.

At least 1,000 schools in Vietnam, 450 in Sierra Leone, 424 in Mali, 200 in 50 communities in Gambia, as well as 12 cities in Indonesia and 22 educational institutions in several municipalities in Bolivia held Global Hand Washing Day activities.

600,000 children die of diarrheal diseases every year

According to Unicef, diarrhea remains the second largest cause of under-five mortality globally. Some 600,000 children die each year from diarrheal diseases caused by a lack of safe water, sanitation, and basic hygiene out of a total of over 1.7 billion cases.

These diseases are also associated with a higher risk of stunting, as shown by low weight for age and developmental delay, and they take a huge toll on society. One of the simplest and most inexpensive barriers to infection is handwashing with soap.

“The evidence is clear. Each individual - every mother, every child, every teacher, every member of every community - can contribute to the health of all by just washing their hands,” Wijesekera said.

“If you knew of something monumental that could benefit the world, you would do it. Everyone has this power - simply wet, lather, and rinse with soap and water.

source: interaksyon.com

Lady Gaga's high-end Manhattan resto hit over filthy habits

LONDON -- The high-end Manhattan restaurant owned by pop star Lady Gaga and her family has been slapped after the Dept. of Health uncovered violations.

Joanne Trattoria on the city's West Side restaurant was smacked with a shameful 'C' grade, the lowest possible rating.




This, after health officials uncovered its filthy habits, reported Daily Mail online.

They did not say what these habits were.

source: interaksyon.com

Dishwashing bars could pose health risks

It is ironic how an object used to clean and wash dirt in kitchen utensils can actually pose danger to our health.

A recent study of the Philippine Society of Microbiology (PSM) confirms that the use of bar solution in cleaning the dishes is a risky practice because it could bring negative effects to every household particularly on the aspect of health.

With the aid of a third party research agency, Proctor and Gamble commissioned a research and survey to reinforce this study and come up with such results. It was in late February 2012 when the survey was conducted. There were 150 respondents and 10 control households. Ms. Jan Ang, Joy Brand Manager, added that 6 out of 10 moms use dishwashing bar solution.

According to Dr. Jessica Simbahan, Immediate Former President of PSM, results show that dishwashing bar solution is highly contaminated with germs and is 10 times more unclean and unsanitary than a dirty sock. Also, it is considered as the dirtiest household item tested among other items like trash bin, toilet seat cover, and toilet bowl rim. During the survey, a luminometer or germ meter was used to gauge the level of contaminants in bar solutions and other household items.

However, Dr. Supachai Basit (incumbent National President for Philippine Society of Microbiology) stressed that besides bar solution, improper hygienic practice can also contribute to the increase of germs. “When a detergent solution is left exposed and is kept soaking, the level of contaminants increase,” Dr. Basit explained.

Below are some simple sanitation tips advised by Dr. Basit:

1. Clean and change your sponge regularly. Sponge is another culprit in the kitchen because microbes thrive their especially when it is moist or soaked in water.

2. Clean the cutting boards well. There should be a separate cutting board for raw food and cooked food.

3. Wash hands before and after meals and snacks.

4. Don’t share hand towels.

5. Use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid. It is better to directly apply the dishwashing liquid on the sponge rather than dilute it in water.

Food poisoning, infection, diarrhea and typhoid are some of the risks that can be acquired and experienced without proper hygienic practice and mindfulness.

The research aims to support Joy Dishwashing Liquid’s ongoing awareness called “Nay, Gising!” an awareness campaign that aims “to serve as a wake-up call for Filipino moms and to educate them on proper kitchen hygiene.”

source: interaksyon.com