Environment, Well ness Monthly Newsletters

Quiz

4 Pages Vol 49 Issue 55 November- 2013

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Burhani Foundation (India)Amatullah Manzil, 2nd floor,65 Bazar Gate Street, Fort, Mumbai -400 001.

Tel; 22678480 Fax 22678480Websites; www.burhanifoundationindia.org,

Email: admin@burhanifoundationindia.org, bfi52@yahoo.co.in

Nuclear WastesWhat are nuclear wastes and how are they managed?

When asked "What is nuclear waste?", most people might answer "garbage from

nuclear plants" or perhaps "the stuff that comes from reactors". There are actually two

classifications of the stuff; low-level and high-level radioactive wastes. Low-level

nuclear waste is essentially the trash produced from cleaning materials and plant

maintenance, similar to most industrial garbage with one difference; it's detectably

radioactive. Low-level waste from nuclear plants is about equal in volume and

radioactivity to the combined radioactive trash from hospitals, colleges, and research

laboratories. Regardless, low-level nuclear waste really isn't the issue. High level

nuclear waste is the core of the issue; specifically the fuel cells that come from the

power plant reactor after they can no longer maintain an efficient chain reaction. The

nuclear waste issue boils down to this high-level stuff, and misconceptions abound.

The most significant high-level waste from a nuclear reactor is the used nuclear fuel

left after it has spent three years in the reactor generating heat for electricity.

Managing used fuel

Used nuclear fuel is very hot and radioactive. Handling and storing it safely can be done as long as it is cooled and plant

workers are shielded from the radiation it produces by a dense material like concrete or steel.

Water can conveniently provide both cooling and shielding, so a typical reactor will have its fuel removed underwater and

transferred to a storage pool. After about five years it can be transferred into dry ventilated concrete containers, but otherwise

it can safely remain in the pool for up to 50 years. But this used fuel is also a valuable resource, and 96% of it can be recycled.

T h e h i g h - l e v e l w a s t e s w i l l b e d i s p o s e d o f d e e p u n d e rg r o u n d i n g e o l o g i c a l r e p o s i t o r i e s .

Nuclear fuel storage pool

Intermediate and low-level wastes

Intermediate and low-level wastes are disposed of closer to the surface, in many

established repositories. Low-level waste disposal sites are purpose built, but are not

much different from normal municipal waste sites.

Nuclear power is not the only industry that creates radioactive wastes. Other industries

include medicine, particle and space research, oil and gas, and mining - to name just a few.

Civil nuclear wastes from nuclear power plants have never caused any harm, nor posed an

environmental hazard, in over 50 years of the nuclear power industry. Their management

and eventual disposal is straightforward.

Neem is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is native to India,

Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan. Neem is a fast-

growing tree that can reach up to 15–20 m (about 50–65 feet) tall, and

sometimes even to 35–40 m (115–131 feet).

Neem

Products made from Neem have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties: they are said to be

antifungal, antidiabetic,antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative. Neem products are also used in selectively

controlling pests in plants. It is considered a large part of Ayurvedic medicine.

Uses All parts of Neem are used for preparing many different medicines, especially for skin disease.

Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap and shampoo, as well as lotions and others), and is useful for acne

treatment. Neem oil has been used effectively as a mosquito repellent.

Neem leaf is used for leprosy, eye disorders, bloody nose, intestinal worms, stomach upset, loss of appetite,

skinulcers, fever, diabetes, gum disease (gingivitis), liver problems & for birth control. The flower is used for

reducing bile & controlling phlegm.

Neem twigs are used for cough, asthma, hemorrhoids and diabetes. People in the tropics sometimes chew Neem

twigs instead of using toothbrushes, but this can cause illness; Neem twigs are often contaminated with fungi within

2 weeks of harvest and should be avoided.

Cures Poison: Neem leaves are also effective in treating poisons and insects bites. This is due to anti-clotting agents

that reside in Neem leaf extract. Neem leaves are also used in treatment of ulcers and inflammation as they have

significant anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity.

Cancer: Neem leaves contain Polysaccharides and liomnoids which are beneficial for alleviating cancer and

tumor cells.

Cardiac Care: Neem leaves are known to be an effective blood cleanser and drinking Neem infused boiled

water controls high blood sugar. Neem leaves help in removing toxins & defending against inflictions and damages

from free radicals in the body. Neem leaves helps to dilate blood vessels improving blood circulation and decreases

elevated heart rates.

Viral disease As a preventive measure, you can prepare a Neem paste and apply on the affected area for treating

warts, chicken pox, and small pox. As it absorbs the virus and protects from entering the unaffected areas. Due to its

anti-viral activity, Neem leaves are boiled and are used for bathing for those who are suffering from skin ailments.

Malaria: Neem bark is used to treat malaria fevers. One of the Neem components gedunin is very effective for

treating malaria. Mosquitoes exposed to odours of crushed Neem leaves result in suppression of egg laying.

Consuming Neem leaves is an acclaimed treatment of malaria.

Scalp and hair issues: Add a cup of fresh Neem leaves to boiling water, and use this water to rinse your hair

after shampooing. The anti-bacterial property of Neem helps to treat dry scalp, dandruff and hair fall issues.

For injuries: A burn injury can be healed faster with the application of Neem water on the burnt surface. It

helps to recover the skin faster and also protects against allergy and infection on the infected area.

Eyewash: Boil fresh Neem leaves in water for about ten minutes and let it cool completely. Use this water as an

eye wash during conjunctivitis and irritation of the eyes.

Sore throat and tired foot: Gargling with Neem water provides relief to sore throat and soaking the feet in

warm Neem water provides relief to the foot ache.

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How does nuclear waste get to you?The planet's water cycle is the main way radiation gets spread about the environment. When radioactive waste mixes with water, it is ferried through this water cycle. Radionuclides in water are absorbed by surrounding vegetation and ingested by local marine and animal life. Radiation can also be in the air and can get deposited on people, plants, animals, and soil. People can inhale or ingest radionuclides in air, drinking water, or food. Depending on the half life of the radiation, it could stay in a person for much longer than a lifetime. The half life is the amount of time it takes for a radioactive material to decay to one half of its original amount. Some materials have half-lives of more than 1,000 years! Paths of Radiation to the BodyWhat can we do about nuclear waste?Presently, the only solution is to store the waste in a place so that the environment won't be contaminated. The problem with storing nuclear waste is both political as well as technological. In terms of politics, no one wants it stored near them. So there's much dispute as to where radioactive waste should be stored. In addition, storing so much waste is a major technological challenge.

So, what about the future?Currently, better methods are being developed to decrease waste volume and make methods of separating the waste by decay rate more efficient. Development of waste storage is far from complete. There are many alternatives to consider and many techniques to develop and improve upon. There has also been much controversy about site selection and disposal methods. Although urban areas consume most of nuclear-generated electricity, radioactive wastes are dumped in rural settings, where property values decline and public health is jeopardized. However, the problem of radioactive waste disposal is not unique to the United States. Other countries are facing the same waste dilemmas. Although hazards of radioactive waste are less visible than some other problems associated with nuclear energy, such as reactor accidents and nuclear weapons, they are no less dangerous, and decisions made concerning this waste will be felt far into the future.

Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health

Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are inexpensive,

easy to store and easy to take with you to work or school. The type of nut you eat

isn't that important, although some nuts have more heart-healthy nutrients and

fats than do others. Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts you name it almost every type

of nut has a lot of nutrition.

Can eating nuts help your heart?

If you have heart disease, eating nuts instead of a less healthy snack can help you more easily follow a heart-healthy diet. People

who eat nuts as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower the LDL, low-density lipoprotein or "bad," cholesterol level in their blood.

High LDL is one of the primary causes of heart disease.

What's in nuts that have thought to be heart healthy?Although it varies by nut, most nuts contain at least some of these heart-healthy substances:

Unsaturated fats: It's not entirely clear why, but it's thought that the "good" fats in nuts both

monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats lower bad cholesterol levels.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Many nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are a healthy form of fatty acids that seem to help

your heart, preventing dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks. They are also found in many kinds of fish, but

nuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fiber: All nuts contain fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol & prevents diabetes.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E may help stop the development of plaques in your arteries, which can narrow them. Plaque

development in your arteries can lead to chest pain, coronary artery disease or a heart attack.

Plant sterols: Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower your cholesterol. Plant sterols are often

added to products like margarine and orange juice for additional health benefits, but sterols occur naturally in nuts.

L-arginine: Nuts are also a source of l-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls

by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.

What amount of nuts is considered healthy?Nuts contain a lot of fat; as much as 80 percent of a nut is fat. Even though most of this fat is healthy fat, it's

still a lot of calories. That's why you should eat nuts in moderation. Instead of eating unhealthy saturated fats,

try substituting a handful of nuts. According to the Food and Drug Administration, eating about a handful

(1.5 ounces, or 42.5 grams) a day of most nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts,

pistachio nuts and walnuts, may reduce your risk of heart disease. But again, do this as part of a heart-healthy

diet. Just eating nuts and not cutting back on saturated fats found in many dairy and meat products won't do

your heart any good. Daily consumption of nuts can help you live longer, says a new study. The study

reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found a 20 percent reduced risk of death among people

who consumed a handful of nuts every day.

Keep in mind; you could end up canceling out the heart-healthy benefits of nuts if they're covered with chocolate, sugar or salt.

Importance of Nutrition

Eating nutritious food is essential for proper growth and good health of every person's life.

The aim of this article is to explain the importance of nutrition.

We all are given many lessons on the importance of nutrition, in our schools as well as at home, when we are young. Even

elders, who are suffering from different diseases are asked to improve the quality of the food, which they intake. What most

of the doctors and nutritionists suggest is that only a balanced diet can provide us with the essential nutrients and minerals

which are necessary for growth and wear and tear of our body. The importance of nutritious food for athletes is well-known,

as they would be able to achieve high stamina and endurance levels only after eating healthy foods.

Why is Eating Nutritious Food Essential?

A nutritious diet can be called the one from which we get the essential macro nutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates

and also the micro nutrients like the vitamins and minerals. The function of the macro nutrients is to provide energy and

strength to the body while the micro nutrients play an important role in the working of the cells of our body. Adequate and

proportionate intake of macro nutrients is very essential to stay away from infections, cardiovascular and contagious diseases.

The proteins do the task of building, maintaining and repairing the tissues of the muscles. By consuming protein rich foods,

you can meet the need for amino acids, which are necessary for proper functioning of the body. You can meet the protein

requirements of your body, if you eat food items such as milk, milk products, yolk, eggs, meat, almonds, etc.

Carbohydrates are very useful to meet the energy requirements of the body, but at the same time, we should not consume them

in excessive quantities, as this can cause an increase in the fat content on the body. The storage of fat on the body takes place if

the carbohydrates which are consumed, are left unused. The carbohydrates are basically of two types - the simple

carbohydrates and the complex carbohydrates. The simple carbohydrates are useful in meeting the immediate energy

requirements of the body, as they are the sources of quick energy. On the other hand, the complex carbohydrates provide you

with energy, which can be used over a period of time. The main function of the fats is to protect the delicate and important

organs in the body. The fats are the insulators of the human body and hence consuming them in sufficient amounts is

extremely essential.

Now, talking about the minerals and calcium which assist in proper contraction of the muscles and clotting of the blood is

undoubtedly the most important aspect for the human body. Apart from calcium, phosphorus, which assist the growth of

bones and teeth, and iron which supplies oxygen to the lungs, are equally important for the human body. Sodium in right

quantities is also essential for overall development of the body.

Parents should understand nutritional value so that they will be able to take right decisions regarding what to feed their

children. Good nutrition is essential for the physical as well as the mental growth of the children. It has been observed that the

children who receive undernourished food, which is devoid of the nutrition components mentioned above, suffer from many

diseases and disorders and often experience stunted growth. Many awareness programs are being conducted by health

organizations in order to explain why nutrition is important. Along with eating nutritious foods, it is important that you

exercise well to burn the calories and stay fit.