Vitamin pills 'are useless'

 Hey Hey, WSBers I was researching  on the "essence of vitamins" and its relevance to our health and i stumbled across this publication in the Daily Mail of the Uk dated 18th Dec 2013 and  thought, to  share!!!!!

Vitamin pills have no health benefits and are a waste of money, a major report says today.

They give no protection against diseases, including serious illnesses such as cancer, strokes or heart disease, Oxford University scientists found.
And those who take them would be better off simply spending their cash on fruit and vegetables.
Research leader Professor Rory Collins said: 'They are safe - we didn't find any hazards. But they are useless.'

The findings of the first study to test the long-term effects of the three most popular types of vitamin pill will shock millions of Britons.
We spend £175million a year on supplements and pills that contain antioxidants claimed to help combat disease.
Most popular are vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, the pigment found in carrots, tomatoes and broccoli, which the body converts into Vitamin A. Ten million Britons take these vitamins regularly.
In their groundbreaking study, the researchers tracked 20,000 people. Half were given daily doses of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene for five years, the other half were given dummy pills.
Those taking the vitamins were just as likely to die from any cause over the period of the study, the scientists report in medical journal The Lancet.
They had no protection against a heart attack, stroke or cancer. There was also no benefit to bone or eye health.

Though it has been suggested that vitamin E might slow the decline of the brain, the researchers found no evidence of any benefit.
Rates of respiratory disease such as asthma, also thought to be helped by antioxidant vitamins, were the same in people taking the supplements and those taking dummy pills.
Those on vitamins actually had a small but definite increase in the amount of 'bad' cholesterol compared to those taking dummy pills, though this did not translate into an increased risk of ill health.
Professor Collins said: 'We continued the treatment for five years and we saw absolutely no effect on vascular disease or any cancers.
'There have been claims that vitamins might protect you against cataracts, there was no effect; that vitamins might prevent fractures by preventing osteoporosis, there was no effect.'
He said the best way to get vitamins and minerals was from a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables. 'There is no need to supplement this with vitamin pills.'
Fellow researcher Dr Jane Armitage said the doses given to the volunteers were equivalent to many over-the-counter supplements.
The patients, aged 40 to 80, were deemed at high risk of heart attack or stroke because they suffered coronary disease, artery disease or diabetes.

They received 600mg of vitamin E, 250mg of vitamin C and 20mg of beta-carotene combined in two daily capsules.
Earlier studies had suggested these vitamins could reduce the risk of various types of cancer and heart disease. But the Oxford scientists said these effects merely reflected other aspects of the diets and lifestyles of those who were taking vitamins.
Last night the Health Supplements Information Service said: 'This study was carried out across a narrow group of people who had conditions putting them at high risk of contracting heart disease, such as diabetes, and over a relatively short period of time.
'Antioxidants have widely proven benefits when taken by the general population as a supplement to a balanced diet or when a person's diet does not contain enough nutrients.
'They are not intended to be used for the treatment or prevention of serious illnesses such as heart disease or cancer.'
A recent report said sales of vitamins, minerals and supplements rose by 3 per cent between 1996 and last year, partly fuelled by endorsements from celebrities such as Madonna and Geri Halliwell.


I feel its important we take this seriously and also try to go with the safety measures here highlighted. this will keep us in good health and less visits to our hospitals on account of illness.

MAKING A CASE FOR NIGERIANS LIVING WITH DISABILITY

In celebration of the international day for people living with disabilities(which held yesterday),it is only humane that we step back and appraise the plight of Nigerians living with disability.
Nigeria is a country that occupies 923,768sq km in Western Africa making her the 32nd largest nation in the world. It comprises 36 states and has a population of more than 162 million, making it the most populous black nation in Africa and the world at large. With its vast land mass, natural resources and population comes huge responsibilities not just to the world and to the African continent, but to her citizens, able and disabled. Disability in Nigeria has become more of an afterthought issue rather than a matter of priority with about 19 million people in Nigeria experiencing a form of disability, and more than 1 billion people worldwide. 


The main purpose of this paper is to examine disability laws obtainable in Nigeria, and compare them with existent models in developed/developing nations around the world. Our two main case studies will be the United Kingdom and South Africa, due to their comprehensive disability legislation and policy implementation for disability.


In South Africa, a 2005 study evaluated the country’s legislation and policy implementation from two key angles: (1) How effective has this legislative and policy environment been in making real changes to the lives of disabled people? (2) Are policies being implemented and acted on, or do they ‘evaporate’ the closer one gets to the grassroots?


South Africa possesses one of the most comprehensive disability rights legislation and policy regimes in the world, and disabled people are involved at all levels of government. This research was commissioned to investigate the extent to which policies and legislation have been implemented by the South African government.


Some of the achievements linked to the development of new legislation and policy in South Africa are: (i) The development and the adoption of the White Paper on Disability on an Integrated National Disability Strategy, known as INDS; (ii)The South African government can currently determine employment-equity quotas that apply to the private and public sector regarding the employment of disabled people through the Employment Equity Act (EEA) of 1998; (iii) Increasing the basic disability grant and the extension of its provisions to a wider sector of people through the Social Assistance Act; (iv) Introduction of policy on inclusive education through the White Paper on Special Needs Education; (v) Actively participating in continental and international initiatives on improving the lives of disabled people, such as the Africa Decade of People with Disabilities, and participating in the development of the United Nations Convention on the rights of disabled people; (vi) Providing free primary health care to disabled people affected by poverty; (vii) Establishing the Equity Court; (viii) Establishing the Office on the Status of Disabled People in the Presidency, and at provincial levels; (ix) Establishing Disability Desks and Units in many departments within all spheres of government.


While support by the South African government for the formulation and adoption of policy has been excellent, policy implementation remains a challenge. Worthy of note is the fact that there are capacity constraints at every level that limit the effective implementation of policy. Policy implementation issues are not addressed consistently, for various reasons, at different levels of government. These reasons include: (i) Limited conceptual understanding; (ii) Poor championing awareness; (iii) Inadequate or inappropriate institutional arrangements; and (iv) a general lack of capacity.


Two other factors that have contributed to the poor implementation of legislation and policies are: (i) the definition and nature of disabled people’s participation have not been adequately reviewed and articulated; (ii) policy requirements for disability mainstreaming are not adequately linked to performance management, thereby undermining commitment to implementation.


The major setback of Disability Policy implementation in South Africa is: Legislation and policies are not implemented, due to a lack of allocated fiscal resources and commitment by government, and agencies responsible for such implementation.


In the South African example, one reason that can be credited for the vast success of the disability campaign, is political support. Political will power is present from both ministers and senior civil servants in charge of departments. The other reason of course is the outstanding sustained commitment and ongoing advocacy by the disability sector, led by Disabled People South Africa (DPSA). The current legislation, in the form of the Employment Equity Act; Social Assistance Act; Skills Development Act; Skills Development Levy Act…etc, have all helped to create a new sense of awareness of the needs of disabled people.


In the case of the UK, people with disability are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended) (DDA) for England, Scotland and Wales, and the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (as amended). The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as “someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”.

People Living With Disability


People who have had a disability in the past that meets this definition are also covered by the scope of the Act. There are additional provisions relating to people with progressive conditions.


The DDA 2005 amended the definition of disability. It ensured that people with HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis are deemed to be covered by the DDA effectively from the point of diagnosis, rather than from the point when the condition has some adverse effects on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.


The achievement of the DDA 2005 includes the new duty it places on public bodies - from local authorities, to healthcare, to education providers to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people, similar to the 'duty to promote' under the Race Relations Act.  This duty, which came into force in December 2006, meant that public authorities will need to have 'due regard' to the need to eliminate discrimination against, and harassment of, disabled people; promote equality of opportunity for disabled people; promote positive attitudes towards disabled people; and encourage disabled people to take part in public life. In the context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), it encourages academic staff to review their learning, teaching and assessment methods to become more inclusive for disabled students.


Having looked at South Africa and the UK, let us now look at what obtains at home. Unfortunately, Nigeria does not have any legislation currently safeguarding the rights of people with disability. It would be unfair to say Nigeria does not care for the disabled and it is important to note that Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and its accompanying Optional Protocol. However, it is important to note that Article 4 of the UN Convention identifies general and specific obligations on States (including Nigeria) and parties in relation to the rights of persons with disabilities. One of the fundamental obligations contained in the Convention is that national law should guarantee the enjoyment of the rights enumerated in the Convention. Part of those mandatory rights are enacting and passing a bill, which must include the establishment of a monitoring commission.


Again, it would be unfair to say that the Nigerian government is not sensitive to the plight of people living with disability. Currently in the 7th Senate of the National Assembly, a bill titled an Act to Ensure Full Integration of Persons with Disabilities and to establish a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and Vest it with the Responsibilities for Their Education, Health Care and the Protection of their Social Economic and Civil Rights is before the Senate. This bill, which is sponsored by me with the support of my colleagues, is an improved version of a similar bill sent to the 6th Senate. It brings together attainable standards from other countries including the two cases examined.  This bill seeks to secure the rights of Nigerians living with disability. Protect them, and reaffirm their faith in themselves but most especially in their country, Nigeria. The Disability Bill has faced challenges such as funding. The commitment of donor agencies dependent on an initial commitment from the Nigerian government is commendable and appreciated.


This bill will address the issues of poverty; unemployment; education of children and young people with disabilities; access to security and assistive devices; access to housing, public health services and transport.


I believe that Nigeria can gain immensely from countries that have effective legislation and policy implementation regarding disability, not using them merely as case studies or examples but as standards to be emulated. We should also learn from how other countries have been able to overcome some of the challenges in policy implementation. We recognize that even after the adoption of the new legislation; we will face implementation challenges probably similar to the case in South African, where robust legislative framework has been challenged by: limited conceptual understanding; poor championing awareness; inadequate or inappropriate institutional arrangements; a general lack of capacity; and Lack of allocated fiscal resources and commitment by government, and agencies responsible for such implementation.


Nonetheless, we can seek to resolve some of these impediments via: sensitization and training of agencies responsible for implementation; strengthening of Advocacy by disabled population; greater public sensitization about disabled rights; better oversight by National Assembly of agencies charged with implementing policy, etc.


Finally, as we ponder the role of government in the promotion and protection of disability rights, let me reiterate that our disabled brothers and sisters are just as valued and just as valuable as the non-disabled population. They are owed a duty of care and protection as citizens of Nigeria. We are a diverse nation that draws much of its strength from its diversity. It is time to realize that this diversity is not just in tribe and tongue or religion but also in ability and disability. The Paralympic games in London were a wonderful showcase of disabled athletes displaying almost superhuman talent. Who can forget Esther Oyema – the Nigerian female weightlifter, lifting a record-breaking 135 KG, to take the gold medal for Nigeria?  


Not everybody can achieve such feats, but these achievements of our wonderful paralympians, remind all of us of that when given support, when given education, when given opportunity, our disabled population can reach their fullest potential and contribute greatly to the productivity and progress of the nation. I can say, in all sincerity, that I and my colleagues in the 7th Senate are committed to improving the protection, rights and opportunities open to the disabled population. We are with you, we will fight for you. Thank you and God bless you all.



Being a paper delivered By Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman (PDP, Kogi Central), Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, at a programme organized by women with disabilities in Abuja.

Yesterday was World Disability Day, and the day was marked by media houses, newspapers doing all they can to play a role in raising the awareness bar on disability. Truth be told, there's still a lot to be done in this area, and I believe its OUR collective responsibility to make sure that people living with disability will be well- rated, respected and allowed to live and do things like every other being.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) in CLOSED BUILDINGS

Hi guys!!  I promised to bring you the details on the adverse effects of staying in A/C rooms all day long because most times we are ignorant of its consequences!
enjoy!

Indoor air quality (also called "indoor environmental quality") describes how inside air can affect a person's health, comfort, and ability to work.  It can include temperature, humidity, lack of outside air (poor ventilation), mold from water damage, or exposure to other chemicals. 
The qualities of good IAQ should include comfortable temperature and humidity, adequate supply of fresh outdoor air, and control of pollutants from inside and outside of the building. 
The most common causes of IAQ problems in buildings are:

• Not enough ventilation, lack of fresh outdoor air or contaminated air being brought into the building
• Poor upkeep of ventilation, heating and air-conditioning systems,
• Dampness and moisture damage due to leaks, flooding or high humidity.
• Occupant activities, such as construction or remodeling, use of poor quality infrastructure.
• Indoor and Outdoor contaminated air.

Moist effect on the Wall.

People working in buildings with poor IAQ may notice unpleasant or musty odors or may feel that the building is hot and stuffy. Some workers complain about symptoms that happen at work and go away when they leave work, like having headaches, or feeling tired. Hay fever (allergic Rhinitis) or Fever, cough, and shortness of breath can be symptoms of a more serious problem. Asthma and some causes of pneumonia (for example, Legionnaires’ Disease and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis) have been linked to IAQ problems. If you have symptoms that are not going away or are getting worse, talk to your doctor about them. But not all exposures cause symptoms, so there is no substitute for good building management. 

There is no single test to find an IAQ problem. Your employer should check measurements of temperature, humidity and air flow. In addition, inspection and testing of the ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems (to make sure it is working according to specifications for building use and occupancy) should be performed WHICH is not always the case. But hey ,we  know oftentimes, that we are more concerned about the AC units working and nothing else.
 A building walk-through to check for odors and look for water damage, leaks, dirt or pest droppings may be helpful. Leaks need to be eliminated. Standing water in humidifiers, air conditioning units, on roofs and in boiler pans can become contaminated with bacteria or fungi and need to be eliminated, also. In some circumstances, specific testing for radon or for asbestos may be required as part of building occupancy. For instance, in schools asbestos needs to be checked every three years and re-inspected every 6 months (under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act- AHERA).  This act is not in Nigeria
 but can be emulated.
Employers are required to follow the General Duty Clause, which requires them to provide workers with a safe workplace that does not have any known hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury. This is also requires employers to obey occupational safety and health standards created under it. Employers should be reasonably aware of the possible sources of poor air quality, and they should have the resources necessary to recognize and control workplace hazards. It is also their responsibility to inform employees of the immediate dangers that are present.Specific state and local regulations may apply.


The following information may be helpful to your doctor or your employer to figure out if there is an IAQ problem at your workplace:

• Do you have symptoms that just occur at work and go away when you get home?  What are these symptoms?
• Are these symptoms related to a certain time of day, a certain season or certain location at work?
• Did the symptoms start when something new happened at work, such as renovation or construction projects?
• Are there other people at work with similar complaints?
• Did you already see a doctor for your symptoms, and if so, did the doctor diagnose an illness related to IAQ?

Plants in the Office

If you are concerned about air quality at work, ask your employer to check the ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems and to make sure there is no water damage. If you think that you have symptoms that may be related to IAQ at your work, talk to your doctor about them to see if they could be caused by indoor air pollution.

did you find this piece useful?
holla back and lets rub minds!
 

OMG!!! DOES OKRO (aka LADY FINGERS) REALLY AFFECT OUR HEALTH THIS MUCH????

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), known in many English-speaking countries as lady's fingers, bhindi or gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow family similar to that of cacao. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. It is green, sweet, tasty and most of all, slimy. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of South Asian, Ethiopian and West African origins. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world. Its leaves may also be eaten, but people are often interested in the plant’s pods.

OKRA

Okra is known for a lot of names in different parts of the world. Okra is either loved or hated by many for its distinct sticky character but the health benefits are amazing.  For instance, Okra is one of the richest sources of soluble as well as insoluble fiber that offer protection from various lifestyles related disorders like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity etc.
Okra is either loved or hated by many for its distinct sticky and slimy character. But from a medical point of view, okra is a vegetable that individuals should NOT ignore. In fact, some of the benefits of okra come from its sliminess.
Apparently eating the crispy and immature okra on a daily basis is good for people who suffer from a variety of digestive problems, including diseases like colitis, ulcers, and constipation because of its slimy nature.

Nutrition
Okra is a rich source of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin B6 and folic acid. I got the following numbers from the University of Illinois Extension Okra Page compiled by Sylvia W. Zook, Ph.D. (Nutritionist)

Okra Nutrition (half-cup cooked okra)
Calories = 25
Dietary Fiber = 2 grams
Protein = 1.5 grams
Carbohydrates = 5.8 grams
Vitamin A = 460 IU
Vitamin C = 13 mg
Folic acid = 36.5 micrograms
Calcium = 50 mg
Iron = 0.4 mg
Potassium = 256 mg
Magnesium = 46 mg
These numbers should be used as a guideline only, and if you are on a medically restricted diet please consult your physician and/or dietician.

Good Eye Sight

Scientific research on the benefits of certain vegetables has been ongoing, and researchers have been and are discovering many interesting facts about this vegetable. Okra has been one of the vegetables that have been included in a number of studies, with some absolutely incredible results which include the following:-

Improves Good Eyesight
the okra pods are good sources of Vitamin A and beta carotene which are both essential antioxidants for maintaining good eyesight. It is one of the green vegetables with highest levels of these antioxidants. In addition, these essential antioxidants also help PREVENT eye related diseases such as cataracts and retina-related eye problems.

Natural Remedy for Diabetes
Okra is good for diabetic patients because it helps to normalize blood sugar level. The fibre in okra helps to stabilize blood sugar by regulating the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract especially the large intestine.
According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bio-allied Science, researchers corroborated that okra was a potential alternative source to treat diabetes because it lowers blood sugar level significantly in tested animals under laboratory conditions.
Here is the process to use okra sap therapy for diabetes control. Soak overnight two pieces of okra, whose rear and cap are chopped off, into a glass of water.  A sticky white liquid will start coming out of the okra. Do not wash it off. In the morning, remove the pieces of okra from the water and drink it. Just wait for around 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. This is to be done on a daily basis in order to control blood sugar levels.
Controls Cholesterol Level

Cholesterol Heap in the Blood Vessel

Controlling the body’s cholesterol level is somewhat challenging because it is difficult to resist foods high in cholesterol content. One of the best health benefits of eating okra is the effective control of the body’s high cholesterol level. It helps to absorb water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins and surplus bile in its mucilage, slipping it out through the stool.
In a 2011 study published in “Journal of Pharmacy & Bio allied Sciences”, researchers also suggest that extracts from okra normalized cholesterol level.

Treats Stomach Ulcer
In a 2004 study entitled “Glycosylated compounds from okra inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa”, extracts from okra was found to prevent Helicobacter pylori, the germ that causes stomach ulcer,

Stomach Ulcers

adhering to the walls of the stomach, thus preventing peptic ulcer.
The researchers assumed in this study, which was documented in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that the anti adhesive qualities of okra was due to a combination of glyco- proteins and highly acidic sugar compounds,  a complex three-dimensional structure that is fully developed only in the fresh juice of the okra fruit.



Prevents Constipation
Okra helps lubricate the large intestines due to its bulk laxative qualities. The okra fibre absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools, thus helping to prevent and improve constipation. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the

Constipation

intestinal tract, okra’s mucilage soothes, and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic.

Boosts Immunity Against Diseases
Okra is a rich source of Vitamin C. For example, 100 grammes of raw okra pods contains about 21 milligrammes of vitamin C according to “The Nutribase Complete Book of Food Counts. Research suggests that consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop immunity against infectious agents, reduce episodes of cold and cough and protect the body from harmful free radicals.

Prevent Congenital Malformation in Babies
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B-9, is especially important during pregnancy because it decreases the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns. According to “The Nutribase Complete Book of Food Counts” a 100 grammes of raw okra pods contains about 88 microgrammes of folic acid.

Folic acid is an essential nutrient of okra which improves the development of the unborn child’s brain. This nutrient prevents mental deficiencies of the foetus inside the womb of the pregnant woman.

Supports strong bones
Okra provides good amounts of Vitamin K which is important to build and maintain strong bones. Vitamin K is also essential for the production of blood clotting proteins that control bleeding.


Protects from colon cancer
Okra is full of dietary fibre, which is essential for colon health and digestive health as a whole. The fibre Okra provides helps to clean the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Additionally, the Vitamin A contributes to healthy mucous membranes, helping the digestive tract to operate appropriately.

Good for asthma
Okra contains Vitamin C, which has been shown to help with respiratory issues like asthma. A study concluded that “the consumption of fruit rich in Vitamin C, even at a low level of intake, may reduce wheezing symptoms in childhood, especially among already susceptible individuals.”

Reduces Nephropathy Risk

Nephropathy is damage to the kidneys caused by high blood sugar, high blood pressure and inflammation. The initial sign is high levels of protein in the urine. Over time, nephropathy may lead to end-stage renal disease, which may require regular dialysis as treatment. To reduce your risk of nephropathy, keep your blood sugar within the ranges recommended to you by your doctor, control your weight and maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Liu Ke-hu of China's The First Hospital of Jilin University reports that eating okra can reduce the risk of diabetic nephropathy. According to a study published in the October 2005 issue of "Jilin Medical Journal," Liu and her colleagues split a group of 70 diabetics into two groups. One group received traditional (orthodox) diabetic treatment while the other received the same treatment while eating okra every day. The group that ate okra had better kidney health over six months compared to the control group.

Helps Weight Control

Losing weight is an important aspect of treatment for diabetes. Diabetics who lose weight generally have better blood glucose control than those who don't. Fortunately, just losing about 5 percent of your total weight is enough to notice a significant difference in your blood sugar. Vegetables such as okra are ideal for a weight-loss diet, as they are low in calories. Diets that are rich in fresh vegetables promote weight loss. To keep okra a low-calorie choice, cook it without adding much oil, butter or other calorie-rich ingredients.

The mucilaginous okra fiber is very effective in preventing type II diabetes. It prevents insulin spikes and thus keeps a check on blood sugar.

Patients with type 2 diabetes who consumed a diet containing food naturally rich in fiber (e.g., 50 g fiber/day, 50 per cent soluble) for six weeks had significant improvements in glycemic control and lipid panels when compared with patients who consumed a diet with moderate amounts of fiber (e.g., 25 g fiber/day, 50 per cent soluble).
I hope that this piece provides significant results as you put the lessons here to work.

Keep Your Work Place Healthy by Proper Ventilation

What is Ventilation

Ventilation is defined as the intentional movement of fresh air from outside a building to inside. If there is something burning (a fireplace, gas heater, candle, oil lamp etc.) more oxygen is replaced by carbon dioxide. The purpose of the chimney is to move air from inside to outside. It causes infiltration or natural ventilation. The resulting negative pressure change induced in the building typically causes a flow of air to move into the building. Continuous air circulation is necessary to keep the interior healthier. Lowering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your work place is to be done by increasing the amount of outdoor air coming in.

A Roof Top Ventilator

Whether  you are building your factory, office, workplace,  or taking care of the one you are in now, the importance of good ventilation cannot be over emphasized. it helps protect your health. Studies show that good ventilation is critical to your safety and comfort. it has also shown that with good ventilation, there's less likelihood of suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) provided all other variations  remain constant. proper ventilation supplies fresh air to your workplace and dilutes or removes stale air. if there is something burning, more oxygen is replace by carbon dioxide. the purpose of the chimney in buildings is to move air from inside to outside. it causes infiltration or natural ventilation. an efficient means of extracting warm and stale air is through roof mounted turbo ventilators which create positive draft.

Importance of Ventilation

Ventilation in a structure is important to remove water vapour formed by respiration, burning and cooking. It is required for removing odours, e.g., from a toilet or kitchen. If water vapour is permitted to accumulate, it may damage the structure, insulation or finishing. It is reported that improper ventilation is the cause of about half of all indoor air quality problems in your work place.

Ventilation is becoming a point of major concern for industrial workplaces and factories due to the fumes, gases, vapours and heat generated. In natural ventilation, air moves through opened windows and doors. Air movement associated with infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature differences between indoors and outdoors and by wind. 

Equipments to Handle Ventilation

There are a number of mechanical devices that help steady ventilation. Generally exhaust fans are used to remove air from rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens. There are air handling systems that use fans and duct to continuously remove indoor air and distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic points throughout the work place. When there is little infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical ventilation, the air exchange rate will be low and pollutant levels will increase.

But most heating and cooling systems, including forced air heating systems do not mechanically bring fresh air inside. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, when the weather permits, or running a window air-conditioner with the vent control open increases the ventilation rate. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors remove contaminants, including moisture, directly from the room where the fan is located and also increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.

Ideal work places should have some kind of mechanical ventilation to remove pollutants. Whether a mechanical ventilation system makes sense in your existing homes depends on the house, your existing heating, ventilation and air circulating systems.

It’s unfortunate that some of our workplaces are NOT well ventilated and we don’t even know how to go about it looking at the issues surrounding our environment(workplace). Its in our health interest to note that our health insurances should be geared towards preventive healthcare than curative. THIS IS A WAKE-UP CALL AND  LETS BE CONSCIOUS OF OUR VENTILATION IN OUR WORK PLACES.