Tuesday, 19 August 2003  
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Poisoned in the name of civilisation

Motor vehicles have been available in large numbers only in this century, while the first gasoline powered automobile appeared in 1886, by 1900 world production was only about 20,000 vehicles per year, compared to 30 million in 1990. These vehicles emit Carbon monoxide (CO), Sylpha dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Lead, Ozone and fine particular matter which are the main cause for air pollution in the urban areas.

Sri Lanka has about one million vehicles emitting 2 million kilograms of carbon monoxide, 1 million kilograms of sulpha dioxide, 1 million kilograms of hydrocarbons and 2 million nitrogen oxides.

While many developed nations have stern anti-pollution regulations, some even started way back in 1970. Sri Lanka has finally drafted the emission test certification. Though the gazette notification which came in June 2000. The implementation of this regulations has started from July 2003. I hope that the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ministry of Transport in combination with the help of the Department of Police will implement the regulations properly.

A recent study has shown that 40 per cent of buses and 70 per cent of dual purpose vehicles now on roads are unroadworthy and should be condemned due to excess emission of these gases... One should not forget the dangerous effects of the noxious gases emitted by the gasoline vehicles. It is said that ambient particulate matter (PM10) in Colombo which is around 100 micrograms in a cubic metre of air is sufficient to cause 7 per cent increase in daily mortality, 30 to 35 per cent Bronchitis and other respiratory disease. The slow inhalation of carbon monoxide daily can also cause cardiac problems, visual impairments, reduced work capacity, headaches, breathlessness, potential damage to fetuses in expecting mothers, cancer due to carbocosis.

Like human plants and animals are also exposed to these NO2, CO, SO2 are affected. Green plants affected by air pollution survive short term with measurable ill-effects. Crop production also gets reduced. Metal corrode faster in the polluted environment of our cities than they do in cleaner environment.

Paints do not last as long in polluted environment as in clean environment. Tires and other goods fail due to ozone cracking, caused by atmospheric ozone if they are not made with antioxidants.

Some say "you have got to pay for what you enjoy" in this century. With all the developments Sri Lanka still remains an underdeveloped country. Civilized fumes poison people, our lungs are collapsing. Perhaps it is time to bring breath back. Will the Air Quality Management Project take off the ground and do an honest job? Will the Motor Traders Association at least think about human values? Will the environmental authorities make stringent standards on emission control. Could they match the Euro II regulations at least by 2004 instead of 2007 which is going to be stretched for another few years.

DR. A. NANDAKUMAR, Hatton

The blind and disabled in Sri Lanka

The President of the Blind Citizens Club has very rightly stated in a letter to you that specific steps should be taken to protect the livelihood and the democratic rights of the blind and the disabled community. I must say that in Sri Lanka our policy makers do blow their own trumpets from time to time and our blind people and the disabled have no clear-cut agenda for their future.

In other countries the disabled are provided with training facilities and future opportunities. We have something small happening in our country. Beginnings have to be made to help those disadvantageous children who are born with so many deffects. Our community must be taught the importance of such persons in our society. Parents must be told not to hide their children and not be concerned about some of our people who are clever at making remarks of self-pity and sympathy. Our children with special disabilities should be encouraged to live and be educated together with normal children, no discrimination should be made even for their school admissions. School authorities should be shown the importance of wider education and fitting such children into the society.

I have with me in our Elders Home a blind lady who is able to fit herself to the others. She is quite independent. She is clever at braille work and is at the moment preparing a dictionary in braille for students, a project supported by the Blind Association. A good and short term pension scheme for blind workers, typists, Braille workers, and even teachers who are blind should be encouraged and sponsored by the Government. It is only then that our underprivileged brothers and sisters can have a ray of hope in their lives.

Our present politicians have promised pensions for our farmers, fisherfolk and even small business people. What of our blind friends most of whom are compelled to beg on the high roads. ? Will they give such folk a pension for begging?.

REV. CANON PADMASIRI BHARETI , Welisara.

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