From: Geer M. Ishaq <ishaqgeer@...>
Subject: Re: [netrum] Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Attn All
To: netrum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2009, 8:34 AM

Dear Dr Bashaar:

Congratulations and felicitations for initiating a thoughtful discussion on a very pertinent topic. Of late there has been lot of activity worldwide on issues concerning Environmental Pharmacology, Environmental toxicology. Your discussion topic on environmental diseases in relation to Afghanistan runs commensurate to these modern challenges of healtcare system. I hope this discussion will spur more deliberations vis-a-vis environmental diseases in other regions of our sub-continent including India. I am presenting below a list of environmental disease in alphabetical order. You are requested to enlighten us about the diseases (amongst this list) that are prevalent in Afghanistan.

 

Dr. Geer M. Ishaq

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Kashmir

Srinagar-190006 (J&K)

Ph: 9906673100, 01942429503

Website: http://ishaqgeer. googlepages. com

 

Environmental Diseases from A to Z

The AIR, the WATER, the SUN, the DUST, PLANTS and ANIMALS, and the CHEMICALS and METALS of our WORLD… They support life. They make it beautiful and fun. But, as wonderful as they are… They can also make some people sick. Here are some diseases that are related to your ENVIRONMENT… From A to Z… And some ideas for preventing or caring for them.

Allergies and Asthma (AZ-ma)

About 50 million people in the U.S. - one in five adults and kids - have allergies. They sneeze, their noses run and their eyes itch from pollen, dust and other substances. Some suffer sudden attacks that leave them breathless and gasping for air. This is allergic asthma. Asthma attacks often occur after periods of heavy exercise or during sudden changes in the weather. Some can be triggered by pollutants and other chemicals in the air and in the home. Doctors can test to find out which substances are causing reactions. They can also prescribe drugs to relieve the symptoms.

 

Birth Defects

Sometimes, when pregnant women are exposed to chemicals or drink a lot of alcohol, harmful substances reach the fetus. Some of these babies are born with an organ, tissue or body part that has not developed in a normal way. Aspirin and cigarette smoking can also cause birth problems. Each year, about 150,000 babies born in the United States have defects. Many of these could be prevented.

Cancer

Cancer occurs when a cell or group of cells begins to multiply more rapidly than normal. As the cancer cells spread, they affect nearby organs and tissues in the body. Eventually, the organs are not able to perform their normal functions. More than 8 million Americans have cancer. Some of these are caused by substances in the environment: cigarette smoke, asbestos, radiation, natural and man-made chemicals, alcohol, and sunlight. People can reduce their risk of getting cancer by limiting their exposure to these harmful agents.

 

Dermatitis (dur-muh-TIE- tiss)

Dermatitis is a fancy name for inflamed, irritated skin. Many of us have experienced the oozing bumps and itching caused by poison ivy, oak and sumac. Some chemicals found in paints, dyes, cosmetics and detergents can also cause rashes and blisters. Too much wind and sun make the skin dry and chapped. Fabrics, foods, and certain medications can cause unusual reactions in some individuals. People can protect themselves from poison ivy by following a simple rule: "Leaves of three, leave them be." Smart folks know their poisons.

Emphysema (EM-fuh-ZEE- ma)

Air pollution and cigarette smoke can break down sensitive tissue in the lungs. Once this happens, the lungs cannot expand and contract properly. This condition is called emphysema. About 2 million Americans have this disease. For these people, each breath is hard work. Even moderate exercise is difficult. Some emphysema patients must breath from tanks of oxygen.

Fertility Problems

Fertility is the ability to produce children. However, one in eight couples has a problem. This can occur when a woman can't produce an egg, or when a man can't produce enough sperm. Infertility can be caused by infections that come from sexual diseases or from exposure to chemicals on the job or elsewhere in the environment. Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) have shown that too much caffeine in the diet can temporarily reduce a woman's fertility. NIEHS scientists have also pinpointed the days when a woman is likely to be fertile.

 

Goiter (GOY-ter)

Sometimes people don’t get enough iodine from the foods they eat. This can cause a small gland called the thyroid to grow larger. The thyroid can become so large that it looks like a baseball sticking out of the front of your neck. This is called goiter. Since the thyroid controls basic functions like growth and energy, goiter can produce a wide range of effects. Some goiter patients are unusually restless and nervous. Others tend to be sluggish and lethargic. Goiter became rare after public health officials decided that iodine should be added to salt.

Heart Disease

More than one in four Americans suffer from diseases of the heart and blood vessels. These diseases cause almost half of all deaths in the United States. While these may be due in part to poor eating habits and/or lack of exercise, environmental chemicals also play a role. While most chemicals that enter the body are broken down into harmless substances by the liver, some are converted into particles called free radicals that can react with proteins in the blood to form fatty deposits called plaques, which can clog blood vessels. A blockage can cut off the flow of blood to the heart, causing a heart attack.

Immune Deficiency Diseases

The immune system fights germs, viruses and poisons that attack the body. It is composed of white blood cells and other warrior cells. When a foreign particle enters the body, these cells surround and destroy this "enemy." We have all heard of AIDS and the harm it does to the immune system. Some chemicals and drugs can also weaken the immune system by damaging its specialized cells. When this occurs, the body is more vulnerable to diseases and infections.

Job-Related Illnesses

Every job has certain hazards. Even a writer can get a paper cut. But did you know that about 137 workers die from job-related diseases every day? This is more than eight times the number of people who die from job-related accidents. Many of these illnesses are caused by chemicals and other agents present in the workplace. Factories and scientific laboratories can contain poisonous chemicals, dyes and metals. Doctors and other health workers have to work with radiation. People who work in airports or play in rock concerts can suffer hearing loss from loud noise. Some jobs involve extreme heat or cold. Workers can protect themselves from hazards by wearing special suits and using goggles, gloves, ear plugs, and other equipment.

Kidney Diseases

About 3.5 million Americans have kidney diseases. These range from simple infections to total kidney failure. People with kidney failure cannot remove wastes and poisons from their blood. They depend on expensive kidney machines in order to stay alive. Some chemicals found in the environment can produce kidney damage. Some nonprescription drugs, when taken too often, can also cause kidney problems. Be sure to read the label and use drugs as directed.

Lead Poisoning

Sometimes, infants and children will pick up and eat paint chips and other objects that contain lead. Lead dust, fumes and lead-contaminated water can also introduce lead into the body. Lead can damage the brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Severe lead poisoning can produce headaches, cramps, convulsions, and even death. Even small amounts can cause learning problems and changes in behavior. Doctors can test for lead in the blood and recommend ways to reduce further exposure.

 

Mercury Poisoning

Mercury is a silvery metal that is extremely poisonous. Very small amounts can damage the kidneys, liver and brain. Years ago, workers in hat factories were poisoned by breathing the fumes from mercury used to shape the hats. Remember the "Mad Hatter" in Alice in Wonderland? Today, mercury exposure usually results from eating contaminated fish and other foods that contain small amounts of mercury compounds. Since the body cannot get rid of mercury, it gradually builds up inside the tissues. If it is not treated, mercury poisoning can eventually cause pain, numbness, weak muscles, loss of vision, paralysis and even death.

Nervous System Disorders

The nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves, commands and controls our thoughts, feelings, movements and behavior. The nervous system consists of billions of nerve cells. They carry messages and instructions from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. When these cells are damaged by toxic chemicals, injury or disease, this information system breaks down. This can result in disorders ranging from mood changes and memory loss to blindness, paralysis and death. Proper use of safety devices such as seat belts, child restraints and bike helmets can prevent injuries and save lives.

Osteoporosis (OSS-tee-oh- por-OH-sis)

When the body can't supply enough calcium, bones become thin and fragile. This is called osteoporosis. About 25 million Americans suffer from some kind of bone thinning. As people get older, back problems become more common, and bones in the spine, hips and wrists break more easily. Young people can lower their chances of getting osteoporosis in later years by exercising and eating calcium-rich foods like milk and yogurt.

Pneumoconiosis (NEW-mo-koh- nee-OH-sis)

Ordinary house and yard dusts do not pose a serious health hazard. But some airborne particles can be very dangerous. These include fibers from asbestos, cotton and hemp, and dusts from such compounds as silica, graphite, coal, iron and clay. These particles can damage sensitive areas of the lung, turning healthy tissue into scar tissue. This condition is called pneumoconiosis, or black lung. Chest pains and shortness of breath often progress to bronchitis, emphysema, and/or early death. Proper ventilation and the use of protective masks can greatly reduce the risk of lung disease.

Queensland Fever

People do not usually get diseases from farm animals. However, those who work with hides and animal products can get sick from breathing the infected dust around them. This illness is called Queensland fever because it was first discovered among cattle ranchers and dairy farmers in Queensland, Australia. It is caused by a tiny organism that infects livestock and then spreads to the milk and feces. Symptoms include fever, chills, and muscle aches and pains. Researchers have developed vaccines to protect livestock workers from this illness.

Reproductive Disorders

Beginning in the late 1940's, many women who were in danger of losing their unborn babies were prescribed a synthetic female hormone called DES (diethylstilbestrol ). In 1971, scientists discovered that some of the daughters of these women were developing a very rare cancer of the reproductive organs. Since then, the use of DES and other synthetic hormones during pregnancy has been discontinued. NIEHS and other agencies are studying the possibility that some natural chemicals and man-made pesticides may cause similar problems. They are finding that some of these chemicals are so similar to female estrogen that they may actually "mimic" this important hormone. As a result, they may interfere with the development of male and female reproductive organs. This can lead to increased risk of early puberty, low sperm counts, ovarian cysts, and cancer of the breast or testicles.

Sunburn and Skin Cancer

Almost everyone has stayed in the sun too long and been burned. Too much sunlight can also produce the most common type of cancer - skin cancer. Some skin cancers are easy to treat because they do not spread beyond the surrounding tissue. Others, like melanoma, are much more dangerous because they spread to other parts of the body. Deaths due to melanoma are increasing by 4 percent each year. People can protect themselves from the sun's rays by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and, when possible, staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tooth Decay

In the 1930's, health experts noticed that people who lived in areas where the water contained natural chemicals called fluorides had fewer cavities. Today, nearly half of all Americans drink water that is either naturally fluoridated or treated with fluorides. This has lowered the incidence of cavities as much as 65 percent. Dentists can also protect young teeth by applying special coatings called sealants.

Uranium Poisoning

Uranium is an extremely dangerous element because it is radioactive. This means it gives off high-energy particles that can go through the body and damage living tissue. A single high dose of radiation can kill. Small doses over a long period can also be harmful. For example, miners who are exposed to uranium dust are more likely to get lung cancer. Uranium poisoning can also damage the kidneys and interfere with the body's ability to fight infection. While most people will never come in contact with uranium, those who work with medical x-rays or radioactive compounds are also at risk. They should wear lead shields and follow recommended safety guidelines to protect themselves from unnecessary exposure.

 

Vision Problems

Our eyes are especially sensitive to the environment. Gases found in polluted air can irritate the eyes and produce a burning sensation. Tiny particles from smoke and soot can also cause redness and itching of the eyes. Airborne organisms like molds and fungus can cause infections of the eyes and eyelids. Too much exposure to the sun's rays can eventually produce a clouding of the lens called a cataract.

Waterborne Diseases

Even our clearest streams, rivers, and lakes can contain chemical pollutants. Heavy metals like lead and mercury can produce severe organ damage. Some chemicals can interfere with the development of organs and tissues, causing birth defects. Others can cause normal cells to become cancerous. Some of our waterways also contain human and animal wastes. The bacteria in the wastes can cause high fever, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

Xeroderma Pigmentosa (zero-DER-muh pig-men-TOSE- uh)

Xeroderma is a rare condition that people inherit from their parents. When these people are exposed to direct sunlight, their skin breaks out into tiny dark spots that look like freckles. If this condition is not treated, the spots can become cancerous. These areas must then be removed by a surgeon.

Yusho Poisoning

In 1968, more than one thousand people in western Japan became seriously ill. They suffered from fatigue, headache, cough, numbness in the arms and legs, and unusual skin sores. Pregnant women later delivered babies with birth defects. These people had eaten food that was cooked in contaminated rice oil. Toxic chemicals called PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyls) had accidentally leaked into the oil during the manufacturing process. Health experts now refer to this illness as "Yusho," which means, "oil disease."

For years, PCB's were widely used in the manufacturing of paints, plastics and electrical equipment. When scientists discovered that low levels of PCB's could kill fish and other wildlife, their use was dramatically reduced. By this time, PCB's were already leaking into the environment from waste disposal sites and other sources. Today, small amounts of these compounds can still be found in our air, water, soil and some of the foods we eat.

Zinc Deficiency/Zinc Poisoning

Zinc is a mineral that the body needs to function properly. In rare cases, people can be poisoned if there is too much zinc in their food or water. However most people can take in large quantities without any harmful effects. In areas where nutrition is a problem, people may not get enough zinc from their diet. This can lead to retarded growth, skin sores, baldness, infertility and lower resistance to infections.

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From: Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ yahoo.com>
To: netrum@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Saturday, 4 July, 2009 3:04:18 PM
Subject: [netrum] Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Attn All

Dear All, Afghanistan is a landlocked nation in central South Asia . It shares borders with Pakistan , Iran , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , Tajikistan , and China . The country's area is 647,500 square kilometers or 246,035 square miles (slightly smaller the the US state of Texas , slightly larger than France ). Afghanistan 's terrain is about 75% mountains. The Hindu Kush mountains, considered an extension of the Himalayas, generally run northeast to southwest and divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country, with plains in the north and southwest. The highest point is Nowshak, 7,485 m (24,557 feet). The lowest point is Amu Darya , 258 m (833 feet). 49% of the country is over 2,000 m (6,650 feet) in altitude. Land use is 12.13% arable land; 0.21% permanent crops; and 87.66% other (2005). Natural resources include natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones. There are four main rivers: ·         The Amu Darya ("Persian Sea") rises in the far eastern mountains of Afghanistan, runs generally east along the northern boarder with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, before turning generally north into Turkmenistan and flowing into the Aral Sea (or disappearing before reaching the Aral Sea). ·         The Harirud rises in the mountains in the center of the country, runs generally west, passing south of the western city of Herat , and then northwest and north, where it forms part of the boarder between Iran and Turkmenistan and ultimately ends in the Kara Kum desert. ·         The Helmand rises in the mountains west of the capital city of Kabul, runs generally southwest to the far southwest of the country where it flows into the Hamun-i-Helmand (or Sistan Lake), a marshy lake (approximately 12,950 sq km or 5,000 sq mile) on the boarder between Afghanistan and Iran. In spring this lake feeds the Shelagh River which flows into salt flats and swamps in the southwest region of Afghanistan , Gaud-i-Zirreh. ·         The Kabul also rises in the mountains to the west of the capital city but runs generally southeast crossing into Pakistan and into the Indus River . The Kabul is a small river for most of the year, but expands in summer with the melting of snow. Major Environmental Issues and Natural Hazards Current environmental issues include: limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; and air and water pollution. Natural hazards include damaging earthquakes in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; and droughts. International Environmental Agreements Afghanistan is party to the following international environmental agreements: Biodiversity; Climate Change; Desertification; Endangered Species; Environmental Modification; and, Marine Dumping. Afghanistan has signed, but not ratified, international environmental agreements on: Hazardous Wastes; Law of the Sea; and Marine Life Conservation. Demographics and Health Population: 32.7 million (July 2008 est.). The population growth rate is estimated to be 2.626% per year. Note that this does not include the return of an estimated 2.3 million refugees to Afghanistan since 2002 mainly from Pakistan and Iran (of an estimated 4 million refugees outside of the country in 2001). Afghanistan is impacted by several major infectious diseases, including food- or water-borne diseases such as bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever; and vector-borne diseases such as malaria (especially in areas below 2,000 meters from March through November). Rabies is also present.   Source: http://www.eoearth. org/article/ Afghanistan Best Regards   Mohammad Bashaar --- On Sat, 7/4/09, anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@ yahoo.co. in> wrote: From: anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@ yahoo.co. in> Subject: Re: [netrum] Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Attn All To: netrum@yahoogroups. com Date: Saturday, July 4, 2009, 10:50 AM Dear Dr Bashaar,     It is difficult for a country to make rapid progress after war. "Rome was not built in a day". Committed persons like you can contribute a lot in improving the situation.   There is a need of a lot funding and a good management to see that funds are used appropriately. Industries can have a tax holiday. Ten years from now you can see a new Afghanistan. Eight years ago Kutch (Gujarat) in India was also devasted by earthquake. But now, one can see a new developed Kutch. Anupama --- On Sat, 4/7/09, Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ yahoo.com> wrote: From: Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ yahoo.com> Subject: [netrum] Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Attn All To: netrum@yahoogroups. com Date: Saturday, 4 July, 2009, 11:30 AM Dear All, Wish you contribute to the current discussion.   ENVIRONMENTAL DISEASES   "Environment is surrounding atmosphere/ condition for existence"   According to the above definition of Environment, it is vital to keep our atmosphere healthy and workable in order to have achievements and production.   Afghanistan 's climate is arid and semi-arid and for the past 10 years has suffered a severe drought, sometimes with very dusty environment, which led to many respiratory health problems, and this dry, dusty environment also causes numerous preventable eye injuries. Afghanistan is the most heavily mined country in the world and landmine injuries were the prime cause of traumatic amputation. Common traumatic injuries from landmines, sprains and strains, limb crushes and venomous bites. Landmines are most dangerous environmental factor which led to handicapped community, consequently a social burden on government and economy. Lack of asphalt roads and sub-roads, very often causes sprains and strains in the lower extremities of the local people where they are walking from one area to another in rocky areas, since Afghanistan is mostly mountainous. Besides the above factors, there are other hazards. Rodents, Scorpions and Snacks are the main problem, since Afghanistan has 270 varieties of snakes and 52 are poisonous, including the aggressive Saw-Scaled Viper. A bite from this snake could prove fatal. Deforestation is a major contributory factor to aridity, air pollution, loss of habitat and vulnerability to flash floods. Millions of trees have been lost in different provinces of Afghanistan , and the ecosystem has been severely damaged because of deforestation, in part induced by drought. In a nutshell, environmental health discusses the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries and illnesses resulting from exposure to exogenous chemical or physical agents in the surrounding atmosphere. In order to solve the above problem, it was agreed in London conference on Afghanistan held on 31 January – 1 February 2006 that, the Afghan Government, with the support of the international community, is committed to achieving the following benchmarks in accordance with the timelines specified.   Environment In line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, environmental regulatory frameworks and management services will be established for the protection of air and water quality, waste management and pollution control, and natural resource policies will be developed and implementation started at all levels of government as well as the community level, by end-2007.   Water Resource Management Sustainable water resource management strategies and plans covering irrigation and drinking water supply will be developed by end-2006, and irrigation investments will result in at least 30% of water coming from large waterworks by end-2010.     Some facts about environmental diseases in Afghanistan ·        Accidents, illness and premature deaths caused by occupational exposures affect more of the people in Afghanistan . ·        The "man or child on the street" are most prone to environmental diseases ·        Children and Women working in carpet factories, ·        Deforestation ·        Insurgency, Insecurity and war ·        Bad Roads ·        Lack of electricity and Gas ·        Etc Best Regards   Mohammad Bashaar --- On Fri, 7/3/09, anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@ yahoo.co. in> wrote: From: anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@ yahoo.co. in> Subject: Re: [netrum] Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Anupama To: netrum@yahoogroups. com Date: Friday, July 3, 2009, 11:24 AM Dear Dr Bashaar, Noristan is really very beautiful. It could be made into a tourist destination ( without altering the natural flora and fauna). Anupama --- On Thu, 2/7/09, Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ yahoo.com> wrote: From: Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ yahoo.com> Subject: [netrum] Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Anupama [4 Attachments] To: netrum@yahoogroups. com Date: Thursday, 2 July, 2009, 12:22 PM Dear Anupama, I concur and support your words, that not merely it is the problem in Afghanistan, it is a global and universal problem, but something has been done in other parts of the world to have better environment for existence. As everyone knows, that Afghanistan naturally is very beautiful, more of its part are mountainous with forests, from other side, it is not industrialized state, thus we are very pro to have good environment. But the 3 decades war ruined everything, and its needs hard efforts to overcome. Attached are some pictures from Noristan Province of Afghanistan, who is the real picture of natural environment. Best Regards   Mohammad Bashaar --- On Thu, 7/2/09, anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@ yahoo.co. in> wrote: From: anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@ yahoo.co. in> Subject: Re: [netrum] Re: Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Introduction To: netrum@yahoogroups. com Date: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 9:50 AM Dear Dr Bashaar,   It is really saddening to see Kabul being reduced to a dry land. Same is the condition here in most Indian cities. We can see the impact.This year we have had very negligible rainfall.There are places like Australia which have been affected by floods. There are lots of diseases following damage to environment. Animals are also not left unaffected. Heating of earth's surface can lead to greenhouse effect.     Global warming is called the greenhouse effect because the gases that are gathering above the earth make the planet comparable to a greenhouse.  By trapping heat near the surface of the earth, the greenhouse effect is warming the planet and threatening the environment. Current fears stem largely from the fact that global warming is occurring at such a rapid pace.  Models are predicting that over the next century, the global temperature will rise by several degrees. Some scientists still do not think that the effects of global warming are as severe as some people say.  They think that droughts, hurricanes, and floods often blamed on global warming might actually have other causes. One major difficulty in studying global warming is the fact that weather data only exists for the last century and a half.  As a result, understanding the present and predicting the future are very difficult. Ref: http://library. thinkquest. org/26026/ Environmental_ Problems/ global_warming. html Anupama --- On Wed, 1/7/09, Vijay <drvijaythawani@ yahoo.co. in> wrote: From: Vijay <drvijaythawani@ yahoo.co. in> Subject: [netrum] Re: Environmental diseases in Afghanistan: Introduction To: netrum@yahoogroups. com Date: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 7:10 PM Hi, It is indeed disturbing to know how humans are responsible for spoiling the environment and bring suffering for fellowmates. We surely need to learn many things from other animals on this earth. Vijay --- In netrum@yahoogroups. com, Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ ...> wrote: > > > > > > Dear Colleagues, > > I hope you all will find the current discussion interesting and to the point. Maybe, it will come in your minds, that why I am always selecting topics from Afghanistan. There are many reasons to it.1- Since I am coming from Afghanistan2- Know about the situation and consequences > 3 Afghanistan is developing in nature, so we must see the progress and the pitfalls4- To reflect the real picture of Afghanistan to the world in terms of health issues > 5- To hear ideas, suggestions, and comments from diverse experts, in order to fill the gaps we have > 6- To make our health system more effective, logical and pragmatic > Before that we go further, below you will find a little background knowledge of Environment Situation in Afghanistan. > Background: > > > Afghanistan > has long been a land of marginal environment- too dry and too cold for much > life. Thousands of years of environmental stress by the country's people have > dramatically altered the landscape and caused extensive environmental > destruction. Because the Afghan people lack the financial means to purchase > fuel, they must cut trees, uproot shrubs, and collect dung for burning. > Domestic animals overgraze the range. The result is extensive soil erosion by > water and wind. Long-term irrigation without flushing has added salt to much of > the arable land and destroyed its fertility. Polluted water supplies are > common, except in the high mountain regions where few people live permanently. > Ancient writings and archaeological evidence show that once rich areas of > forest and grassland have been reduced to stretches of barren rock and sand. > The government of Afghanistan > began to recognize environmental problems in the 1970s with the help of the > United Nations and other international agencies. The pressures of the war, > however, have diverted attention from these issues and further aggravated the > country's environmental state. > > > > Situation of Environment in 1980s > > > Kabul was attractive and old-fashioned city with lush greenery and > clean mountain air. But due to years of war, the crumbling of public services > and population explosion have plunged the city to the depths of environmental > pollution rarely seen elsewhere in the world. > > > > > > Current Situation: > > > The biggest killer in the country, especially in Kabul is the air > pollution. Experts consider Kabul > to be one of the most polluted cities in the world; in fact, the city was > designed for 500,000 but now houses are close to five million, which has > adverse effects on living condition, ranging from environmental diseases to > communicable diseases. > > > > Amanullah Hosseini, the director for environmental health in > the Afghan ministry of health added that"Air pollution is just a huge > problem here," "It leads to so many diseases - respiratory diseases, > allergies, miscarriages and even cancer." > > > > The ministry estimates that some 3,000 people die from > pollution-induced illnesses in Kabul > yearly making them the biggest cause of natural death in this city of five > million. And according to the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), > a government body, nearly 80 percent of Kabul's > hospital patients suffer from diseases caused by polluted air and water. > > > > With an increase in exposure of 10 micrograms per cubic > metre in the level of small particulate matter (air particles of 2.5 > micrometres or smaller), "there is a six percent increase in > cardiovascular deaths and an eight percent increase in deaths from lung cancer > per year," states a recent report from the ministry of health. > > > > Kabul has three times the amount of particulate matter per cubic metre > than cities in neighboring countries, according to NEPA. > > > > And the gap is even wider in comparison to industrialized > countries. A measure of nitrogen dioxide, a dangerous substance, registers a > level of 52 parts-per-million, whereas the same reading in the United States > shows a level of 0.53 parts-per-million. > > > > Best Regards   Mohammad Bashaar > > --- On Wed, 7/1/09, Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ ...> wrote: > > From: Mohammad Bashaar <bashaarulfat@ ...> > Subject: [netrum] Environmental diseases in Afghanistan > To: netrum@yahoogroups. com > Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 8:31 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dear NETRUM Colleagues, > > > > At the outset I am really > grateful of Dr. Vijay Thawani for inviting me for the moderation for fourth > time. Secondly I am really pleased of esteemed netrum colleagues who assisted > and helped me in the previous three discussions. > > > > I am quite sure and > confident, that this time, the esteemed colleagues, will assist me more than > last times, and they will make the current discussion live and richer. > > > The current discussion > topic is “Environmental diseases in Afghanistan”.  I hope our colleagues; will come with their > insights, know-how, and knowledge. > > > The floor is officially open for > discussion, but it is the prime duty of everyone to be adherent to the topic, > in order to achieve our desired goal. > > > > Best Regards   Mohammad Bashaar > > --- On Wed, 7/1/09, Vijay <drvijaythawani@ yahoo.co. in> wrote: > > From: Vijay <drvijaythawani@ yahoo.co. in> > Subject: [netrum] Thanks Vijaya; Welcome Bashaar > To: netrum@yahoogroups. com > Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 7:17 AM > > > > > > > > > > > Hi, > On behalf of NetRUM, heartfelt thanks  to Dr Vijaya Chaudhari for moderating the discussion on  "Rationality of Nootropics & cognition enhancers". Well done Vijaya  and do return as moderator with another topic. > The next discussion (no.109) is to be moderated  by Dr Mohammad Bashaar from  01-05 Jul on "Environmental Diseases in Afghanistan" . Welcome  Dr Bashaar and please takeover NetRUM.  > Vijay >   >   > Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and more. Click here. Yahoo! recommends that you upgrade to the new and safer Internet Explorer 8. Yahoo! recommends that you upgrade to the new and safer Internet Explorer 8.

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