Do you love your earth? If yes, then why to do the palaver?

“Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.” – Henry David Thoreau.

Everyday whenever I travel by road or by train and see the pyramid of garbage, I wonder how people say we “love our mother earth” or “earth is our mother earth”. Why they don’t think that if they consider earth as mother earth then isn’t their responsibility to protect mother earth??? Simply think that can we make our real mother dirty by throwing garbage on her or spitting on her face or whatever we do with our mother earth!!! Just think for a while…….The earth cannot speak. That doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want. In reality, the earth is a wonderful gift of to us and we are exploiting it. In return, that day is not far when we can lose the wonderful earth.

It is very hard to imagine that we are walking down a lush green field, surrounded with valleys, lined with brightly coloured flowers, the soft grass tickling our feet and we breathe in the floral scent of nature. Why it is so impossible to imagine something so beautiful?? Because… when we look around we see, piles and piles of dirty garbage bags, filled with all sorts of half eaten food waste- surrounded by large dumps of tins, an assortment of plastics, half ripped plastic packets and a couple wilted banana peels scattered around it. This is the case of every country but the difference is between the waste management.

Why waste management and how it is related to destruction of Earth???

Waste generation increases with population expansion and economic development. Improperly managed solid waste poses a risk to human health and the environment. Uncontrolled dumping and improper waste handling causes a variety of problems, including contaminating water, attracting insects and rodents, and increased flooding due to blocked drainage canals or gullies and leaching of chemicals which leads to contamination of underground water. Improper waste management destroys the beauty of earth.  In addition, it may result in safety hazards from fires or explosions. Improper waste management also increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which contribute to climate change. Planning for and implementing a comprehensive program for waste collection, transport, and disposal along with activities to prevent or recycle waste can eliminate these problems.

How to solve these problems?

Waste is divided into two categories: Dry waste and wet waste. By separating these two kinds of waste we not only make our environment pleasant but also can reduce the landfill area.   Many parts of our waste can be reused. So why waste it? Dry waste includes recyclable material such as paper, plastic, wood, metals and even glass. Wet waste is usually our kitchen waste- consisting of organic waste such as leftover food, peels and scrapings from fruits and vegetables- and even nutshells. Later, we can reuse this waste by converting it into Compost.  Composting is nature’s way of recycling- it’s just a simple process of the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials, resulting in a dark, crumbly substance that enriches the soil with nutrients. It helps prevent Global warming by reducing ‘greenhouse gases’. This method can be used in any area of the field like residencies, schools, offices etc. In India, major fraction of urban municipal solid waste is organic matter (51%). After using composting method half of the municipal solid waste can be reduced. Can’t it??? Just think how much it is useful….. First of all we can reduce the waste which is pilling at landfills. Secondly, composting enriches the soil and encourages the production of beneficial microorganisms which helps in breaking down the organic matter. Third, it also prevents pollution by reducing the methane production at landfill area.

The Hong Kong China, the most populated and highly economic country has been managing the waste management and found to be successful in making their country beautiful and healthy. How is it possible?

Hong Kong generates several types of waste and each has its own requirements for handling. They have three strategic landfill areas which include collection and treatment system and surface and ground water management systems to control air and water impacts. They have thirteen closed landfills to minimise potential safety and health risks. They are landscaped to provide green zones and can be developed into different public recreational uses.  They have seven refuse transfer stations which are centralised collection points for the transfer of waste to landfills. The wastewater and odour at this point is also controlled. They have also developed chemical waste treatment centre, composting plant and sludge treatment facilities for different types of waste. The list doesn’t end here… The environmental protection department keeps regular statistics on each waste type, such as composition, quantity sent for disposal and quantity recycled.  They have made several waste reduction plans and policies which are implemented with regularity.

In India, there are some cities which are making efforts to fight with garbage. The five tonne per day (TPD) biogas plant in Pune operates all decomposing organic waste and converts them into methane gas which is injected into generator to produce electricity and the leftover part is used in manure production. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Clean Mumbai Green Mumbai these are some movements initiated by Indian government and people are taking initiatives to make India clean.

What can we do to save our earth?

• Individuals can reduce their waste by buying items having less packaging, using reusable bags for shopping and separating dry and wet waste from our daily waste for recycling and composting respectively. Use less, waste less.
• Being a citizen of thebcountry we should take the initiatives to clean our country and be part of different campaigns to clean our country and our earth.
• Plant more and more trees which keep the citizens healthy and also beautify the places.
• Cut down the electricity bills using only whenever required.
• Save on water bills
• Use green transportations

Today, on World Earth Day let’s take the oath that with all determination, strength and belief we will change our life for the better and save the one thing that’s always there for us. Save our earth.

“Earth Day should encourage us to reflect on what we are doing to make our planet a more sustainable and livable place.” – Scott Peters.

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By

Hera Azmi

Microbiologist

 

 

” Unbelievable.. These facts make me go gaga about this herb. Check it out and surely you would be amazed.”

Plants are the important sources of medicines and a large number of drugs in use are derived from plants. Among the plants known for their medicinal value, one such important and most commonly found is the Holy Basil or Tulsi. Tulsi scientifically known as Ocimum sanctum is referred to as Queen of Herbs, the Legendary, Incomparable one and is regarded as one of the holiest and most cherished of the healing and health-giving herbs. Tulsi is widely grown and sacred plant which belongs to the lamiaceae family. It has mainly three forms or varieties:  Rama Tulsi with stems and leaves of green, Krishna Tulsi with stems and sometimes leaves also purple and Vana tulsi which is unmodified form from its wild form.

Traditionally a Hindu household was considered as incomplete if it did not have a tulsi plant in the courtyard. So why such a small herb is given so much importance world-wide? It is just because this small plant has gained its medicinal importance since ancient times. Due to its holistic properties, Tulsi is widely used in many Ayurvedic and naturopathic medicines. Not only its leaves but also its flower has the properties to fight a number of diseases.

A Tulsi plant can help to get rid of these problems:

Fever and common Cold– juice of tulsi leaves is useful in bringing down the body temperature. Chewing tulsi leaves on an empty stomach will help you get rid of cold and flu. The healing properties mainly come from the essential oils and phytonutrients present in it.

Sore throat– water boiled with tulsi leaves can be used for gargling which helps to cure sore throat.

Headache– applying paste of dried tulsi and sandalwood on forehead helps to get relief from headache because of the cooling effects of tulsi.

Eye problems– tulsi juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night blindness which is mainly caused because of deficiency in Vitamin A. Drops of black tulsi leaves can be used.

Stress– stress is a common problem faced by many people. Chewing 12 leaves of tulsi daily reduces stress levels.

Dental care– Holy Basil destroys the bacteria that are responsible for dental cavities, plaque, tartar, and bad breath, while also protecting the teeth. It also has astringent properties which make the gums hold the teeth tighter, thereby keeping them from falling.

Insect bites– a teaspoonful of the juice of leaves can be taken every few hours in case of insect bites. A paste of the fresh juice is very effective for leech bite.

Heart disorders– chewing 10-12 leaves of tulsi leave daily reduces blood cholesterol level.

Kidney stone– tulsi being a detoxifier and a mild diuretic, helps to reduce the uric acid level in the body, which is the main culprit as far as kidney stones are concerned. It has pain-killer effects and help bear the pain from kidney stones as they pass. A mixture of basil leaf juice and honey will result in expelling renal stones through urinary tract.

Anti-aging– Vitamin-C, A, phyto-nutrients and the essential oils in Holy Basil are excellent antioxidants and protect the body from nearly all the damage caused by free radicals in the body. In Ayurveda, it is considered as a tonic to retain youth and avoid premature aging.

It is beneficial in treating respiratory ailments like chronic bronchitis, asthma and is an effective antibiotic, germicidal, fungicidal, disinfectant etc.

The list does not end here. It has also been used to cure many diseases in women and men. Tulsi in combination with various other herbs like neem, ajwain, sesame oil etc can be used to treat excessive menstrual bleeding, relives itching of skin of abdomen and breasts of pregnant women, relieves post delivery pain, and makes the uterus strong and healthy and many more.

In men, it cures urination problems, prevents nocturnal problems, to treat impotence, gonorrhoea, thinness of seminal fluid, dysuria etc.

Moreover tulsi has also shown promising treatments in case of snake poisoning by taking tulsi juice. The poison can be deactivated by consuming tulsi juice, applying tulsi paste on the region of skin where snake has bitten. Also the pain caused by a sting of a wasp can be relieved by applying and drinking tulsi juice.

In conclusion, it is well said that “Tulsi is Queen of the Herbs” as the list of its medicinal properties is never ending. It has so much purity and goodness in itself that it can be used to cure any type of ailments. We should look back and start practicing our ancestor’s way of treating illness by using the herbs and these home remedies can really do wonders. It has also been rightly said plant Tulsi at your home which has the ability to purify air too. So go herbal, use Tulsi!

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By

Sneha Iyer

Microbiologist

did you know you could bleed to death if you had this??? A must read…

 

“Haemophilia – the ‘royal disease’..You may have heard haemophilia being referred to as the ‘royal disease’. This is because Queen Victoria, who was the monarch of the United Kingdom in the 1800, was a carrier of the disorder. She passed the condition on to her son Leopold. Several of her daughters were also carriers and they passed on the faulty gene to other royal families in Spain, Germany and Russia.”

World Haemophilia day is observed every year on 17th April to create awareness regarding haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. World Hemophilia Day is observed by many countries around the globe since 1989, when it was established by the World Federation of Hemophilia(WFH). The date for observance was chosen April 17, since it’s the birthday of Frank Schnabel, the founder of the Federation(WFH).

Annual observance of World Hemophilia Day has it’s own theme. The theme should be always taken into account for organization of various events. The theme of annual celebration is focusing on problem,that is connected to hemophilia. This year the theme of the day is “Treatment for all is the vision of all”. The reality is that the majority of people with bleeding disorders still receive very inadequate treatment or no treatment at all. Our vision of Treatment for All is that one day; all people with a bleeding disorder will have proper care, no matter where they live.

Treatment for All means:

• proper diagnosis, management, and care by a multidisciplinary team of trained specialists;
• safe, effective treatment products for all people with bleeding disorders;
• expanding services beyond hemophilia, to those with von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, and inherited platelet disorders.

The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), an international not-for-profit organization, was established in 1963. It is a global network of patient organizations in 127 countries and has official recognition from the World Health Organization.

 What is Haemophilia?

In common terms it is a disorder in which blood doesn’t clot normally, there is excessive bleeding whenever you have any injury or damage in comparison to person without haemophilia. It is a inherited blood disorder that is it can be passed from parents to children through genes. People suffering with  haemophilia have little or no blood clotting factor, as clotting factor is important to stop bleeding. There are several types of clotting factors. These proteins work with platelets (small blood cell fragments that form in the bone marrow-a sponge-like tissue in the bones) to help the blood clot.

Types of Haemophilia: There are two types of haemophilia;

Haemophilia A	Haemophilia B
·         You’re missing or have low levels of clotting factor VIII (8)	·         You’re missing or have low levels of clotting factor IX (9).
·         1 in 5,000 males is born with Hemophilia A	·         1 in 30,000 males is born with Hemophilia B
·         Called classical haemophilia or von Willebrand disease	·         Called Christmas disease(Christmas” was the last name of the boy in whom the disorder was first diagnosed)

Acquired haemophilia is a  rare condition which means you aren’t born with the disorder, but you develop it during your lifetime. This can happen if your body forms antibodies (proteins) that attack the clotting factors in your bloodstream. The antibodies can prevent the clotting factors from working.

Symptoms of Haemophilia

Symptoms vary, depending on the degree of blood clotting factor (coagulation factor) deficiency and they also depend on the nature of any injury.

• Nosebleeds that do not stop easily
• Excessive bleeding during dental procedures, like root canal therapy, tooth extraction, Tendency to bruise easily etc.
• Painful or swollen joints
• Blood in urine

Three levels of hemophilia are recognized, according to the level of clotting factor amounts in the blood. These are often expressed as percentages of normal:

• Above 5% – mild hemophilia
• 1% to 5% – moderate hemophilia
• Less than 1% – severe hemophili

Causes of haemophilia:

It’s caused by a defect in the gene that determines how the body makes factors VIII, IX. These genes are located on the X chromosome(blocks of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), helps to know how the cells in a baby’s body develop, what features the baby will have, including, for example, hair and eye color. whether the baby is male or female) , making hemophilia an X-linked recessive disease. Each person inherits two sex chromosomes from their parents. Females have two X chromosomes. Males have one X and one Y chromosome.

Males inherit an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father. Females receive an X chromosome from each parent. Because the genetic defect that causes hemophilia is located on the X chromosome, fathers can’t pass the disease to their sons. This also means that if a male gets the X chromosome with the altered gene from his mother, he’ll have hemophilia. A female with one X chromosome that has the altered gene has a 50 percent chance of passing that gene to her children, male or female.

Diagnosis:

Prenatal testing – if a pregnant woman has a history of hemophilia, a hemophilia gene test can be done during pregnancy. A sample of placenta is removed from the uterus and tested. This test is known as a CVS (chorionic villus sampling) test.

Blood test – if a doctor suspects a child may have hemophilia a blood test can determine whether the patient has hemophilia A or B, and how severe it is. Blood tests can be performed from the time of birth onwards.

 Treatments :

• Hemophilia treatment will mainly depend on its severity and for patients with Hemophilia A or B involves clotting factor replacement therapy.
• Cryoprecipitate: Freeze-dried concentrates made from human plasma containing the right levels of Factors VIII and IX became available in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Haemophilia A can be treated with hormone infusion called desmopressin which stimulates clotting factors, recombinant clotting factors can be used to treat clotting factors, plasma infusions can also be used.
• RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation): It is a treatment many health care professionals recommend for joint bleeds. It also reduces swelling and tissue damage when used together with clotting factor concentrates.

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By

Tanishma Patil

Microbiologist

 

 

 

 

Do you see white spots or lines on your nails??? Are you suffering from some disease?? What do those spots indicate???

We see some white colored spots on our nails. Have you ever given a thought on why do we get these spots? What could be the possible reason? First of all let me tell you that this condition is called Leukonychia.

Leukonychia is the white discoloration of the nail plate. It was first described in the end of 19th century. Leukonychia has many subtypes. True leukonychia is attributable to matrix dysfunction. Apparent leukonychia is due to changes in the underlying tissue, pseudoleukonychia is used when the nail plate alternation has an external origin, such as in onychomycosis or in keratin granulations observed after nail enamel applications. The normal nail beds needs to be pink in color as a consequence of the good flow of blood underneath nail plate and needs to be flawless. However this could have happened to you, that you observe a white colored spot on the nails, you might try to wash it off and it wouldn’t be removed, after that you figure out it is not a spot, this is something which is an integral part of the nail plate. The white spots consequence of leukonychia slowly vanish over time. Usually, leukonychia is completely benign, although in some other situations it could be an indication of an underlying disease.

Causes:
Injury to the nail matrix during growth of the nail
Nail biting
Heavy dose medications
Extreme cold atmosphere
Bacterial and fungal infections
Congenital- present from birth and early childhood days
Can indicate what you are suffering from
Zinc deficiency
Arsenic poisoning
Tuberculosis
Herpes zoster virus infection
Cardiac problems
Liver cirrhosis
Kidney failure
Leprosy
Malaria
Menstruation issues
Trauma and psychological problems
Autoimmune disorders like Systemic lupus erythematosus

The list goes on and on. I am sure that you would have never thought that these small spots which you considered to be an insignificant change could indicate so much.

It is classified into various subtypes:

True leukonychia:
True leukonychia additionally is broken down in to hereditary leukonychia and acquired. Acquired leukonychia is after that broken down according to exactly where the nail plate is implicated: superficial, advanced, or perhaps indeterminate. True leukonychia has additionally been broken down based on position of the white shapes. Included in this are leukonychia punctata or white spots on nails, transverse leukonychia or white strips or white lines on nails, leukonychia partialis or partially white nails, and leukonychia totalis or completely white nails.

Hereditary leukonychia have an autosomal recessive disorder shape sometimes by itself or in connection with a medical condition. Hereditary leukonychia has been connected with twisted hairs, epidermal cysts and kidney stone, abnormal skin thickening, dorsal Dupuytren nodules, decreased function of the parathyroid glands, koilonychia, and cardiocutaneous syndrome. Acquired leukonychia is a result of nail matrix disturbance in the course of systemic condition, injury, or poisoning.

Leukonychia totalis:
This medical condition is a whitening of the complete nail plate. This can be a symptom of reduced albumin, which is often seen a type of renal failure, acute liver failure, difficulty absorbing proteins from food. A hereditary problem, and a unwanted effect of sulfonamide, a group of medications may also cause leukonychia totalis.

Leukonychia partialis:
This problem is whitening of portions of the nail plate. Usually represented by white dots. There are various forms of this medical condition.

Leukonychia striata or Mee’s lines:
Leukonychia striata is a whitening of the nail plate in strips that run the same way as the nail lunula. Mee’s lines could be a result of poor liver function, chemotherapeutic agent, or physical damage to the nail matrix. They have been connected with acute arsenic poisoning, vitamin deficiency, not enough nutrients, typhoid fever, Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney failure, and heart attack. In huge number of affected individuals, there is absolutely no obvious reason, and the streaks resolve by itself.

Leukonychia punctata:
This is the most typical type of leukonychia and can occur in anybody, wherein little white spots show up on the nails. Biting of the fingernails are a widely known cause in small children. Generally, once white spots show up on one or a couple of fingers, the most typical cause is damage to the nail matrix. If this is the situation, white spots are going to vanish after roughly two months, which is the period of time required for nails to entirely regrow.

Pseudoleukonychia:
This term is used when the white discoloration is caused by the changes of nail bed. Three different types of pseudoleukonychia can be distinguished, Terry’s nails, Muehrcke’s nails and half and half nails. Terry’s nails were described by Terry in 1954 as a common sign of liver cirrhosis, occurring in up to 82 % of patients. The leukonychia affects the whole nail except for a 1-2 mm distal band. In Terry’s nails, the proximal part of nail is white and the distal part is pink or brown. Brown lines may be seen in chronic renal failure disease, it also may be seen in normal individuals. The type that affects the whole nails is attributed to cirrhosis, congestive cardiac failure and adult-onset diabetes mellitus.

Half and Half Nails: 
The proximal area is dull white and the distal area (20-60 percent of the total length) is brownish. There is a distinct border between the colors. It is described as proximal pallor and distal brown-yellow pigmentation of the nail plate and it was estimated that approximately one third of all haemodialysis patients would exhibit this characteristic nail. In psoriasis pseudo half and half nails may be seen.

Muehrcke’s Nails:
Muehrcke’s nails were described by Muehrcke in 1956 in patients with hypoalbuminemia (nephrotic syndrome). The nail has multiple transverse whitish bands, parallel to the lunula. The pathogenesis of this condition can not be solved yet. It is thought that the edema in the nail plate can cause these bands by pressuring the underlying vessels. Hypoalbuminemia, chronic liver diseases and malnutrition can cause Muehrcke’s nails.

Treatment:
Normally there is no precise treatment for leukonychia. But an individual can improve his/her diet to see if that helps to diminish the white spots. Try including more products in the diet that are rich in proteins, zinc as well as vitamins. Nuts as well as leafy vegetables are rich sources of zinc and if regularly consumed can get rid of this disorder of the nails.

Products such as nail polish can offer temporary solutions for hiding the white spots until the nails grow out. But remember that overuse of these products could have caused the problem in the first place. So it is advised to use the products in moderation.

An individual can prevent leukonychia by taking better care of the nails and prevent them from being mistreated by stopping hitting, rubbing or biting them.

If there has not been any improvement in these white spots or discolored nails in over 8 months, then it is advised to consult with your primary care physician to perhaps see if there is not some other underlying health problem or infection contributing to this problem.

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By

Sachin Rajagopalan (Microbiologist)

Founder & Editor in Chief BCI

Bioluminescence – A wonder of Nature

Hello friends… here’s another interesting fact from the living world. I planned to write this because in the month of January there was an article in newspaper of “Bioluminescent waves make an appearance on Mumbai’s Juhu Beach and I am sure many of you have read it or heard about it from someone. One of my friends actually asked me whether it was real and then I searched for the news on Google and it appeared to be true and not fake news.So this was very much real. It is just that you don’t get to see such things often in Mumbai, which made people really curious about it. Such Bioluminescent waves are a common site in many places in the world especially islands. In some parts it is a tourist attraction.
What you see in the image above is called Bioluminescence which means living organism that produces and emits light. Now we all know about glow bugs (or fireflies) we have encountered them at least once in life, and those who have not seen them are familiar with them through movies. There are also many other living creatures that produce Bioluminescence like Mushroom- a type of fungi, bacteria, glow worms, marine vertebrates and marine invertebrates like phytoplankton (small living organism that produces its own food by photosynthesis) and jellyfish but no terrestrial vertebrates are seen to produce bioluminescence.

Let us start with…
What is the cause of Bioluminescence?
The organism produces light by a chemical reaction which involves a pigment called Luciferin and enzyme Luciferase which catalyses the reaction in the presence of oxygen. In a very simple manner the reaction can be written as follows:-There are many other ways to produce this Bioluminescence but the enzyme involved is the same but different types of luciferin are involved and few of which give different colors of light. The most commonly seen color is yellow, green and bit rarely red. One good fact you would love to know is most of the marine creatures emits Blue or green light, it is seen because the other wavelength of light does not travel so well in water, they either get scattered or absorbed.

Why organisms produce Bioluminescence?
Bioluminescence is very diverse in nature but most of it is seen in marine creatures. The reason for this is that major part of ocean is dark as no light penetrates so deep, which makes it suitable for any living creature to be self illuminated.
It is also a way of communication within the communities of these organisms.
Bioluminescence is often seen to be used for attracting prey.
In some cases they are found to be in symbiotic relationship with larger fishes so that the fishes are protected from predation by camouflage or by mimicking some other creature that is distasteful or harmful and the bioluminescent organisms get a place to live and obtain nourishment in return. These types of organisms are mainly found in the gills, eyes or in/on the skins of larger creatures.

Different types of Bioluminescence:
If you have ever seen that organisms like fireflies can control the light as they have much developed organ for this purpose but organisms such as phytoplankton’s lit up only when the water is disturbed. The reason is that the disturbance causes the oxygen to mix in with water and as the above reaction states oxygen is vital for the production of light. This is how most of the time the light is seen when the waves rises up and falls back.

In case with fireflies it controls light by controlling the addition and removal of oxygen from the light organ but that is a slow process as insects don’t have lungs instead what they have is “cells” inside them that transport oxygen to the organs by tubes called as Tracheoles. Recent studies show that it takes the help of nitrous oxide to flash the light as frequently as it does (Scientific American). The flash of the lights often lasts for less than 10 seconds.

There are few organisms that can glow in more than one colour. The railroad worm (actually the larva of a beetle) is the most common of all. The head of the railroad worm glows red, while its body glows green.

There is one more type of Bioluminescence which is known as Milky seas, it is a phenomenon where a particular area on the surface of the ocean lights up (a continuous emission of light) by the dinoflagellates for one of the many reasons such as drop in the salinity. This if big enough can be seen from the satellites in space.

One more example of continuous glowing light is bioluminescent wood. It is not actually the wood that glows but a type of fungus that glows when the wood starts to decay. The light so produce is to attract insects and birds which might help spread the fungal spores. This phenomenon is called as foxfire or Fairy fire.

Does the light emitted by bioluminescent organisms hurt them?
We all know that when we touch a light bulb when ON we feel the heat that is generated by the light but when it comes to these organisms the light they produced is cold light which means the light produced without loss of heat energy. This is an important point as it were to produce heat it would have damaged itself.

Is there any use of this bioluminescence to us?
Of course not directly but there are some modifications to be done before it can be considered useful. This natural phenomenon of Bioluminescence has made man curious enough to do re-search and find the ways in which it can be used for our benefits.

There are few proteins that we now know can be used to produce light such as Luciferin, aequorin (it is a calcium-activated photoprotein isolated from the hydrozoan Aequorea victoria) and green fluorescent proteins (also isolated from hydrozoan Aequorea victoria) the genes for these proteins can be inserted into the gene of any organism which is needed to be monitored or traced.

It can also be incorporated in trees and crops to give us the indication whether the plant is depleted of water or nutrition.

It can help us light the street by use of glowing trees or fungi on trees and help save electricity.

It is already been used in fluorescent microscopy to help see the cells and their organelles.

And last but not the least we can always feel happy to see and admire this beautiful natural phenomenon like so many other wonders of nature.

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By

Pooja Navale

Microbiologist

Yes..!!Say no to Junk Food for better health..

“If we are not willing to settle for junk living,

we certainly shouldn’t settle for junk food..”

                                                                        -Sally Edwards

Junk foods…Yes it will give you pleasure on your lips but a lifetime fat on your hips…isn’t it true??? Whenever we go out, the only thing for which we crave is food. Due to the eye catching appearance, decoration, and smell of food, whenever we pass across the food stall we always crave for it. If we see chaat, vadapav, noodles, cakes and many more, its appearance is so mouth watering, that we just can’t control ourselves. But have you ever thought that the food, for which we are craving, is damaging our health. So, this article will give you idea about the hidden danger of junk food.

Junk food is the slang word for food with limited nutritional value, coined in the 1960s, this is a term given to foods rich in calories, fats, sugar, sodium, caffeine, artificial additives and processed contents etc. In nutritional parlance, these are empty calories, i.e. food which do not have any nutritive value or vitamins, minerals etc. and eaten instead of or in addition to well balanced meals. This includes French fries, cookies, sodas, chocolates, chips, burgers, hot dogs, ice-cream and amazingly enough many breakfast cereals. Indian foods that would come in this category are all kinds of chaats, fried foods like samosas, vadapav, many sweets with artificial additives, etc. One more term that we always hear with junk food is fast food. So are the both terms same?? I was also confused but they may refer to the same thing, but I think the difference is that fast food refers to the way the food is prepared or served, whereas junk food refers to the kind of food. If a hamburger is put together at a fast food restaurant using, say, 70% lean beef, a lot of salt, and a cheap bun made from bleached flour, that burger could be regarded as both fast food and junk food. However, not all fast food is junk food, and not all junk food is fast food.

Why we crave for junk food?

Most of us know that junk food is unhealthy and poor nutrition can cause many health hazards then too why do we keep eating it? There is an interesting answer behind it which will surprise you. It is easy to prepare and so tasty. ‘No-one can eat just one’ is a common advertising slogan used for these foods. And, it is true. Junk-food is made with complex researched formulae – with the aim of producing just enough taste so that it tempts the brain for enjoying the aroma and  feel in the mouth. According to Steven Witherly, a food scientist, when you eat tasty food, there are two factors that make the experience pleasurable. First, there is the sensation of eating the food. This includes what it tastes like (salty, sweet, umami, etc.), what it smells like, and how it feels in your mouth. This last quality is known as “orosensation” which is particularly important. Food companies will spend millions of dollars to discover the most satisfying level of crunch in a potato chip. Their scientists will test for the perfect amount of fizzle in a soda. These factors all combine to create the sensation that your brain associates with a particular food or drink. The second factor is the actual macronutrient makeup of the food — the blend of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that it contains. In the case of junk food, food manufacturers are looking for a perfect combination of salt, sugar, and fat that excites your brain and gets you coming back for more.

There are a range of factors that scientists and food manufacturers use to make food more addictive such as dynamic contrast (a combination of different sensations in the same food), salivary response (Salivation is part of the experience of eating food and the more a food causes you to salivate, the more it will swim throughout your mouth and cover your taste buds. E.g. emulsified foods like butter, chocolate, salad dressing, ice cream, and mayonnaise promote a salivary response that helps to lather your taste buds with goodness), sensory specific response (Your brain likes variety of  junk foods, however; these are designed to avoid the sensory specific response. They provide enough taste that your brain doesn’t get tired of eating them, but it’s not so stimulating that your sensory response is dulled. This is why you can swallow an entire bag of potato chips and still be ready to eat another. To your brain, the crunch and sensation of eating chips is novel and interesting every time). Memories of past eating experiences (This is where the psychobiology of junk food really works against you. When you eat something tasty (say, a bag of potato chips), your brain registers that feeling. The next time you see that food, smell that food, or even read about that food, your brain starts to trigger the memories and responses that came when you ate it. These memories can actually cause physical responses like salivation and create the “mouth-watering” craving that you get when thinking about your favourite foods).

Harmful effects of junk food on your health:

Fast foods and junk foods are high in fat, sodium and sugar, which can lead to obesity and a range of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, nutrient deficiencies, depression etc. In recent decades, junk food consumptionin all over the world have increased dramatically, mostly popularize amongst teenagers. This trend has occurred concurrently with rising epidemics of numerous chronic diseases and accounts for long lists of reasons why eating junk food is bad for our health.

• It affects your energy level: Junk food doesn’t contain any nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. As a result, you may feel chronically fatigued and lack the energy you need to complete daily tasks. The high levels of sugar in junk food puts your metabolism under stress; when you eat refined sugar, your pancreas secretes high amounts of insulin to prevent a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels. Because fast food and junk food don’t contain adequate amounts of protein and good carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels will drop suddenly after eating, leaving you feeling grumpy, fatigued and craving sugar.
• It contributes to obesity: Junk food plays a major role in the obesity epidemic. Junk food contains large amounts of fat, and as fat accumulates in your body, you’ll gain weight and could become obese. The more weight you gain, the more you’ll be at risk for serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. You could even have a heart attack.
• The high levels of fat and sodium in junk food can cause high blood pressure or hypertension. Excessive dietary sodium can also have a negative effect on renal function, even leading to kidney disease.
• Poor concentration and intellectual disturbances: When you have a lavish junk meal rich in oil, you feel drowsy and fail to concentrate. Over sustained periods of junk food eating, causes blood circulation to drop due to fat accumulation. Recent research indicates that children who eat junk-food meals before the age of three are more likely to have lower I.Q.
• Poor nutrition– The lack of vital vitamins, proteins and minerals in your diet particularly can stale your grey brain cells temporarily and will make you malnourished, leaving you open to infection due to a weak immune system.
• Gastrointestinal complaints: Bloating of stomach, hyper acidity, stomach and duodenal ulcers, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, oral thrushes etc.

You know what is particularly annoying is that fitness conscious Film-Stars and Sports person endorsing the junk-foods, lead the naïve public to actually continue eating them. The truth is that these endorsers perhaps only eat that solitary chip needed to shoot the ad and later would not even touch it with a barge pole. Where is the consciousness and morality expected of public figures in India, who are almost worshipped as Gods and followed blindly by millions?

All of this brings us to the most important question of all.

How to beat the junk food habit and eat healthy?

The good news is that the research shows that the less junk food you eat, the less you crave it. Some people refer to this transition period as “gene reprogramming”. Whatever you want to call it, the lesson is the same: if you can find ways to gradually eat healthier, you’ll start to experience the cravings of junk food less and less. I don’t know but in this busy lifestyle, we can’t say totally bye to junk food but here are some strategies that might help.

 Shop smart– The habit of scrutinizing the contents on the packet is time-consuming, but ultimately rewarding. Stock your kitchen and refrigerator with healthy snacks and drinks. A shopping list is definitely a good idea when shopping in a super-market.

Start with your home and family– Healthy eating habits are better cultivated as a family. Freshly cooked food at home is better than the same food served outside. Motivate others in your family to help you kick the habit by avoiding doing anything that would weaken your resolve. Schools that serve unhealthy foods and other parents who give out unhealthy snacks to your children repeatedly, can be gently reminded about healthy eating.

Eat variety of food- As we covered earlier, the brain craves novelty. While you may not be able to replicate the crunchy or creamy contrast of an Oreo, you can vary your diet enough to keep the things interesting. Similarly, finding ways to add new spices and flavours to your dishes can make eating healthy foods a more desirable experience.

Find better way to dealt with your stress: Stress causes certain regions of the brain to release chemicals (specifically, opiates and neuropeptide Y). These chemicals can trigger mechanisms that are similar to the cravings you get from fat and sugar. In other words, when you get stressed, your brain feels the addictive call of fat and sugar and you’re pulled back to junk food. We all have stressful situations that arise in our lives. Learning to deal with stress in a different way can help you overcome the addictive pull of junk food. This could include simple breathing techniques or a short guided meditation, exercise or making art etc.

So moral is that we need to watch what we eat because we are the custodians of our own health. So let’s think twice before we open that pack of chips and dip into it or even offer it to someone. Try for healthy food and avoid habit of junk food.

                                  “Stay healthy and live happy life.”

In case of any queries visit Contact Us section in the main menu and put up your views and suggestions in the comment section below.

By

Tanishma Patil

Microbiologist

 

 

 

Hick Hick Hiccups…..

We humans are easily affected by something very common, which occurs to almost everyone – Hiccups. The non-stop hiccups not only affect our speech but also affects the work at hand and leaves us irritated. So what are hiccups? How are they cause? Is it serious? Does it require medical attention? What can be the home remedies? There are several questions regarding them and trust me you will have all the answers with you at the end of this article.

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing. Each contraction is followed by a sudden closure of your vocal cords, which produces the characteristic “hic” sound.

Irritation of the nerves that extend from the neck to the chest can cause hiccups. Many conditions can cause this irritation and result in hiccups, including eating too fast and swallowing air, chewing gum, smoking, eating or drinking too much, strokes, brain tumors, damage to the vagus or phrenic nerve, some medications, noxious fumes, anxiety and stress, sudden temperature changes and in babies, hiccups may be associated with crying, coughing, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

The most common cause of long-term hiccups is damage to or irritation of the vagus nerves or phrenic nerves, which serve the diaphragm muscle. Factors that may cause damage or irritation to these nerves include:

• A hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum
• A tumor, cyst or goiter in your neck
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Sore throat or laryngitis

A tumor or infection in your central nervous system or damage to your central nervous system as a result of trauma can disrupt your body’s normal control of the hiccup reflex. Examples include:

• Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Tumors

Long-term hiccups can be triggered by:

• Alcoholism
• Anesthesia
• Barbiturates
• Diabetes
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Kidney failure
• Steroids
• Tranquilizers

Men are much more likely to develop long-term hiccups than are women. Other factors that may increase your risk of hiccups include:

• Mental or emotional issues.Anxiety, stress and excitement have been associated with some cases of short-term and long-term hiccups.
• Some people develop hiccups after undergoing general anesthesia or after procedures that involve abdominal organs.

A person should see a doctor if the hiccups become chronic and persistent (if they last more than 3 hours), or if they affect sleeping patterns, interfere with eating, or cause reflux of food or vomiting. Hiccups is rarely a medical emergency. If hiccups last for more than 3 hours, occur with severe abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, spitting up blood, or feeling as if the throat is going to close up, the person should seek medical attention.

Because hiccups are rarely a medical emergency, you will likely first consult your family practitioner or internist. Children may see their pediatrician.

In the case of an emergency as described above you may see an emergency medicine specialist in a hospital’s emergency department.

Other specialists who may be involved in treating hiccups include an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist, or ENT), a gastroenterologist (a specialist in the digestive tract), a neurologist (a specialist in the brain and nervous system), a pulmonologist (a lung specialist), or a psychologist.

Diagnosis is based on physical evaluation. Laboratory testing is rarely necessary unless the hiccups are suspected to be a symptom of an associated medical condition. The tests to diagnose the associated medical condition will be done and tests will vary according to the associated condition.

There are a variety of home remedies to resolve hiccups, which include holding your breath to drinking a glass of water quickly. The common thread to most of these remedies is that carbon dioxide builds up in the blood or stimulating the vagus nerve will stop hiccups. Medical care is rarely needed to cure hiccups. If a person has hiccups for more than two days, they should seek medical care.

Numerous home remedies to stop hiccups exist. The reason these remedies are thought to work is that carbon dioxide build-up in the blood will stop hiccups, which is what happens when a person holds their breath. Stimulation of the vagus nerve (the nerve that runs from the brain to the stomach) is stimulated, hiccups can also be alleviated (this is what is happening when a person drinks water or pulls on their tongue).

Try these methods at home to get rid of the hiccups:

• Hold your breath.
• Drink a glass of water quickly.
• Have someone frighten you (or better, surprise) the person
• Use smelling salts.
• Have the person pull hard on their tongue.
• Place one-half teaspoon of dry sugaron the back of the tongue. (Repeat this process 3 times at 2-minute intervals, if necessary use corn syrup, not sugar, in young children.)

There are many other suggestions to get rid of the hiccups such as “name 10 famous bald men;” “stick a finger in the ear;” tickling the palate with a swab; or swallowing a tablespoon full of honey (this distracts the person with the hiccups and may help the diaphragm relax). However, a person should only try those methods they are comfortable, and be aware that some methods are not suitable for infants (honey, sugar methods), elderly with swallowing problems, and others with health problems. Call your doctor for further information if individuals have any questions about home remedies or if they fail to stop the hiccups.

Rarely a doctor might prescribe medications like Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Metoclopramide for severe persistent hiccups.

So next time you go around doing “Hic” try some of the home remedies out. May be it would solve your problem instantly and if it still persists visit a doctor immediately.

In case of any queries visit Contact Us section in the main menu and put up your views and suggestions in the comment section below.

By

Sachin Rajagopalan (Microbiologist)

Founder & Editor in Chief BCI

World Autism awareness Day

This is a small story of 10 years boy which is very heart wrenching….

Brian, age 10, was referred to a psychologist after his public school could no longer meet his educational needs. Brian’s mother, Jane, is very worried about him. Brian has always been different form other children. Shortly after his first birthday, Brian seemed to lose interest in other people. He exhibited poor eye contact and his focus was often on his mother’s shiny earrings rather than on her face. Brian was a bit slow to develop speech, although his physical milestones (crawling, walking) were met with ease. Jane did not enrol Brian in preschool until he was five years old. She believed he was too shy, and as a result, he was kept at home for most of his early years. When Brian started school, it immediately became clear that he was “of his own mind”. His grandmother knew this, and encouraged Jane to take him to get help right away. Jane feared what would happen if Brian was labelled with mental disorder as a child, so she fought to keep him in the public school and tutored him herself to help his achievement remain consistent with his peers. From kindergarten to fourth grade, Brian struggled both socially and academically. He has no friends and his teachers appeared to be annoyed by him. He would often speak out of turn, and did not seem to be able to learn how to consistently follow directions. He occasionally made rude comments about others’ appearance and was surprised when he was scolded for what seemed to him to be a normal observation. At age eight, Brian continued having problems controlling his bladder and bowels. Accidents were not uncommon, and Brian’s mother dealt with this by having her son wear feminine hygiene products under his clothes. By the time he was 10, principal at Brian’s school told Jane that they could no longer meet Brian’s needs, and Jane conceded. She took Brian to see a therapist who specialized in developmental problems.

Surprisingly, Brian was not bothered about leaving his school. He was not attached to anyone there, and was only concerned when the therapist raised the idea of Brian going to residential educational community- a boarding school for children with developmental problems. However Brian was not surprised. She was used to Brian’s emotional distance. Still part of her was sad to realize that her son was so far away from her, despite all her efforts to keep him close.

Relationship with family and friends are extremely important to most people. As an infant, babies and caregivers both exchange their feelings and understand each other’s emotions. These skills come so easily to most of us that we often take them for granted. Imagine what your life would be like if you could not understand what your mother meant when she smiled. Imagine if you had difficulty understanding your own feelings, and were unable to put those feelings into words. Yes, there are some people called autistic disorder patients who face all the above problems.

The word “autism’, which has been in use for about 100 years, comes from the Greek word “autos,” meaning “self”. The term describes conditions in which a person is removed from social interactions-hence, an isolated self. Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, was the first person to use the term.

“On this World Autism Awareness Day, I call for advancing the rights of individuals with autism and ensuring their full participation and inclusion as valued members of our diverse human family who can contribute to a future of dignity and opportunity for all.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the World Autism Awareness Day on 2^nd April to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention.

Autism is heterogeneous disorder that is people with autism can look and act very different form one another.  They may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem solving abilities of people with autism can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with autism need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less. Isn’t it a very odd disorder??? Because autism affects more people than just those who have the disorder. Their loved ones must deal with disappointment, separation, and confusion that can come with caring for person with autism. In order to adopt life of autistic children, the parents change their own behaviour. Everyone will be curious to know what the causes of this disorder are!!!

All of the causes of autism are not known.  Current research suggests that differences in the development of brain and central nervous system cause autism. Variety of factors such as infectious, metabolic, genetic, and environmental are investigated. A 1995 National Institutes of Health (NIH) working group reached a consensus that autism probably results from a genetic susceptibility that involves multiple genes and also in people who have certain genetic or chromosomal conditions such as fragile X syndrome (one part of the x chromosome that has a defective piece that appears pinched and fragile due to mutation when viewed with a microscope) or tuberous sclerosis (genetic disorder that causes noncancerous tumors to grow in the brain and other vital organ). Children who have a sibling with autism are at a higher risk of also having autism. Environmental factors include surroundings in the womb, when mother’s health directly affects infant’s growth and earliest development.  The prescription drugs such as valproic acid and thalidomide taken during pregnancy have been linked with a higher risk of autism. Children born to older parents are at greater risk for having this disorder. Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but according to CDC, it is almost five times more common among boys than girls. CDC estimates that about 1 in 68 children have been identified with autism.  What are the symptoms of autism disorder???

People with ASD often have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviours and might not want change in their daily activities. Many people with ASD also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. Signs of ASD begin during early childhood and typically last throughout a person’s life.

Children or adults with ASD might:

• not point at objects to show interest (for example, not point at an airplane flying over)
• not look at objects when another person points at them
• have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
• avoid eye contact and want to be alone
• have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
• prefer not to be held or cuddled, or might cuddle only when they want to
• appear to be unaware when people talk to them, but respond to other sounds
• be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
• repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language
• have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
• not play “pretend” games (for example, not pretend to “feed” a doll)
• repeat actions over and over again
• have trouble adapting when a routine changes
• have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
• lose skills they once had (for example, stop saying words they were using)

Is there any diagnosis and treatment for autism disorder???

Autism is challenge to everyone who comes into contact with it, and therefore it is important to understand the symptoms, the origin and the treatment of autism. The diagnosis is of two stage process. The first stage involves general developmental screening during well- child checkups with a pediatrician or an early childhood health care provider. Children who show some developmental problems are referred for additional evaluation. The second stage involves a thorough evaluation by a team of doctors and other health professionals with a wide range of specialities. At this stage, a child may be diagnosed as having autism disorder.

While there’s no proven cure yet for autism, treating autism early, using school-based programs, and getting proper medical care can greatly reduce disorder symptoms and increase child’s ability to grow and learn new skills. There are many different types of treatments available. For example, auditory training, discrete trial training, facilitated communication, music therapy, occupational therapy (teaches skills that help the person live as independently as possible which might include dressing, eating, bathing, and relating to people), physical therapy, and sensory integration (helps the person deal with sensory information, like sights, sounds, and smells). There are no medications that can cure autism or even treat the main symptoms. But there are medications that can help some people with related symptoms. For example, medication might help manage high energy levels, inability to focus, depression, or seizures.

With this awareness day, we should help the autistic people and spread the awareness around the world.

In case of any queries visit Contact Us section in the main menu and put up your views and suggestions in the comment section below.

By

Hera Azmi

Microbiologist

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Paper recycling: don’t you think it’s today’s need

“Oooppss…I wrote wrong spelling on report, (on notebook or any piece of paper), now what to do?  and there is simple answer for it, tear off that paper, how easily we tear it off and throw the paper in dust bins without too much thought but believe it or not, people have been making paper for 2000 years and we don’t even bother that we are simply wasting it. Besides that how much other paper materials we just used for small work and simply throw in dustbins, then it may include tissue papers, printing papers, news papers, rough pages etc. But, have you ever thought how this paper is made??

How paper is made?

Paper is a material that we use on regular basis for some or other purpose, mainly for writing and packaging. Paper is invented by a Chinese person named Ts’ai Lun, who first made paper in 105 AD, before that ancient people wrote on papyrus , a natural reed used to create paper like material from which paper word was derived.

Paper is a simple material, it is a mat held together by the fiber’s roughness, and can be made from cellulosic fibrous material like wood or any fibrous material of recycled paper. Typically, trees used for papermaking are specifically grown and harvested like a crop for that purpose. Trees are debarked, where the bark is removed, and through chippers, where spinning blades cut the wood into 1″ pieces. Those wood chips are then pressure-cooked with a mixture of water and chemicals in a digester to make pulp. The pulp is washed, refined, cleaned and sometimes bleached, then turned to slush in the beater. Color dyes, coatings and other additives are mixed in, and the pulp slush is pumped onto a moving wire screen. As the pulp travels down the screen, water is drained away and recycled. The resulting crude paper sheet, or web, is squeezed between large rollers to remove most of the remaining water and ensure smoothness and uniform thickness. The semidry web is then run through heated dryer rollers to remove the remaining water and then you get finished paper.

After consumption of paper, it often makes its way to trash bins and thus comes to be termed as “waste paper”. This waste paper when recovered becomes the reclaimed cellulose fiber base suitable for paper making. Use of recycled fiber for paper making has been picking up the world over, including India. The Indian paper industry uses wood, agricultural residues and waste paper as raw materials. In the early 70’s, the share of waste paper used as raw material was only 7%, whereas now it constitutes the major raw material base for paper industry with 47% share in total production. So, don’t you think that recycling of paper is so much important to save trees and to save our environment?

What is paper recycling?

• It is the process of recovering waste paper and remaking it into new paper products.
• It is the process of collecting used paper materials which is usually considered as ‘waste’ and reprocessing them. In this, process whatever waste papers we throw in dust bins are sorted and processed to be used as ‘raw materials’ for the production of new paper products.

Why paper recycling is important?

Recycling is important in today’s world if we want this planet to be healthy for our future generations. It is good for environment, since we are making new products from old products which are of no use to us.

1. The nature of forests and where they are situated- As the demand for paper has increased, more timber has been needed to meet the demand for wood pulp. In some cases this has meant the loss of valuable wildlife habitats and ecosystems, as old forests have been replaced by managed plantations, usually of fast-growing conifers. The lack of tree species diversity in managed forests has a direct impact on the biodiversity of the whole forest.
2. By using waste paper to produce new paper disposal problems are reduced.
3. Producing recycled paper involves between 28 – 70% less energy consumption than virgin paper and uses less water. This is because most of the energy used in papermaking is the pulping needed to turn wood into paper.
4. Recycled paper produces fewer polluting emissions to air and water. Recycled paper is not usually re-bleached and oxygen rather than chlorine is usually used. This reduces the amount of dioxins which are released into the environment as a by-product of the chlorine bleaching processes.
5. Paper is a biodegradable material. This means that when it goes to landfill, as it rots, it produces methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas (20 times more potent than carbon dioxide). It is becoming increasingly accepted that global warming is a reality, and that methane and carbon dioxide emissions have to be reduced to lessen its effects.

How is paper recycled?

• Once collected, waste paper is taken to a paper mill for recycling.
• It is pulped in a tank continuing various chemicals which separate out the papers fibers. These fibers are processed to remove things such as stapler pins, paperclips, tape etc.
• The fibers are then placed in a tank where they are cleaned and the ink is removed. This has to be done several times and sees the fibers becoming whiter.
• Whitening agents are then added and the pulp is then further processed through rollers to remove the majority of the water.
• Next follows the drying section, when the pulp passes through heater rollers to give a smoother paper. This is then dried and is ready to be finished product and used.

Limits of paper recycling:

Every time paper is recycled, the fibers become shorter, weaker and more brittle. In general, paper can be recycled up to seven times before it must be discarded.

What types of papers can be recycled?

There are types of cardboard and papers items which can be recycled; such as white paper, colored paper, white and colored envelopes with windows, booklets, manuals, fax and telex copy paper, greeting cards, adding machine tape, carbon-less forms, soft-covered books with white pages, telephone directories and magazines etc.

But, there are some non-acceptable paper items we use that can’t be recycled which include pizza boxes, coffee cups, candy wrappers, tissues, paper towels, carbon paper, brown and craft envelopes.

So after knowing all important facts about paper recycling, don’t you think so that we should save paper, avoid its overuses, mainly avoid use of papers which are not accepted in recycling. If we save one sheet of paper a day, then 40,000 trees are safe per year. Nowadays many programs are arranged at school, colleges and office levels to recycle papers and we can also recycle paper at home level.

So, Remember to use paper is to have an impact on our environment. Our greater goal should be to promote reduction of consumption. “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle…..”.

In case of any queries visit Contact Us section in the main menu and put up your views and suggestions in the comment section below.

By

Tanishma Patil

Microbiologist

Oil spill:a grave issue

“It was like when you make a move in chess and just as you take your finger off the piece, you see the mistake you’ve made, and there’s this panic because you don’t know yet the scale of disaster you’ve left yourself open to.”

― Kazuo Ishiguro

The above lines are so true because we humans are busy destroying nature and then we panic when it reverts in the form of a disaster. One of such disaster is an oil spill. Most of the time oil spills are accidental they occur due to accidental spillage or leakage in the oil tanks. Every year nearly 706 million gallons of oil enter the ocean. Oil from farms, industries sewage and various other sources enter the ocean thereby polluting it.

Our planet, Earth, has large reserves of oil and gas trapped deep beneath its surface. Occasionally, these reserves develop cracks and some of the oil or gas seep out. However, this is a part of nature and rarely causes any major damage. On the other hand, there are times when the same problem is caused because of human interference and it can cause a great deal of damage to marine ecosystems. In the last thirty odd years, the issue of oil spills and their effects has taken on much importance. This is because when an oil spill occurs, it causes a multitude of problems for the environment and us.

Oil wastes that enter the ocean come from many sources, some being accidental spills or leaks, and some being the results of chronic and careless habits in the use of oil and oil products. Most waste oil in the ocean consists of oily storm water drainage from cities and farms, untreated waste disposal from factories and industrial facilities, and unregulated recreational boating.

It is estimated that approximately 706 million gallons of waste oil enter the ocean every year, with over half coming from land drainage and waste disposal; for example, from the improper disposal of used motor oil. Offshore drilling and production operations and spills or leaks from ships or tankers typically contribute less than 8 percent of the total. The remainder comes from routine maintenance of ships (nearly 20 percent), hydrocarbon particles from onshore air pollution (about 13 percent), and natural seepage from the seafloor (over 8 percent).

Offshore oil spills or leaks may occur during various stages of well drilling or workover and repair operations. These stages can occur while oil is being produced from offshore wells, handled, and temporarily stored; or when oil is being transported offshore, either by flowline, underwater pipeline, or tanker. Of the approximately 706 million gallons of waste oil in the ocean each year, offshore drilling operations contribute about 2.1 percent, and transportation accidents (both ships and tankers) account for another 5.2 percent. The amount of oil spilled or leaked during offshore production operations is relatively insignificant.

Oil waste from offshore drilling operations may come from disposal of oil-based drilling fluid wastes, deck runoff water, flowline and pipeline leaks, or well failures or blowouts. Disposal of offshore production waste can also pollute the ocean, as can deck runoff water, leaking storage tanks, flowline and pipeline leaks, and the wells themselves. Oil spilled from ships and tankers includes the transportation fuel used by the vessels themselves or their cargoes, such as crude oil, fuel oil, or heating oil.

An oil spill happens when liquid petroleum is released into the environment by vehicle, vessel or pipeline. It happens on a large scale and is mostly seen in water bodies. It happens due to human negligence and is a major form of pollution. The source of the spill are many. Crude oil can be released by tankers on land. In water bodies, the spill occurs due to drilling rigs, offshore oil platforms and well. An oil spills and their effects can also be experienced with refined petroleum or even waste oil from large scale industries. What is common in all of them is that the damage caused by them is permanent and takes a long time to clean up.

As oil spill, it floats on water and prevents sunlight to pass through it. The shiny substance that you see sometimes on top layer of water is nothing but oil which makes it difficult for plants and sea animals to survive. Cleaning up of oil spill is no easy task. Various factors need to be considered before carrying out operations. Some of them being amount of oil spilled, temperature of water, type of beaches and many more.

In general, oil spills can affect animals and plants in two ways: from the oil itself and from the response or cleanup operations. Understanding both types of impacts can help spill responders minimize overall impacts to ecological communities and help them to recover much more quickly.

Spilled oil can harm living things because its chemical constituents are poisonous. This can affect organisms both from internal exposure to oil through ingestion or inhalation and from external exposure through skin and eye irritation. Oil can also smother some small species of fish or invertebrates and coat feathers and fur, reducing birds’ and mammals’ ability to maintain their body temperatures.

Oil spills present the potential for enormous harm to deep ocean and coastal fishing and fisheries. The immediate effects of toxic and smothering oil waste may be mass mortality and contamination of fish and other food species, but long-term ecological effects may be worse. Oil waste poisons the sensitive marine and coastal organic substrate, interrupting the food chain on which fish and sea creatures depend, and on which their reproductive success is based. Commercial fishing enterprises may be affected permanently.

Wildlife other than fish and sea creatures, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds that live in or near the ocean, are also poisoned by oil waste. The hazards for wildlife include toxic effects of exposure or ingestion, injuries such as smothering and deterioration of thermal insulation, and damage to their reproductive systems and behaviors. Long-term ecological effects that contaminate or destroy the marine organic substrate and thereby interrupt the food chain are also harmful to the wildlife, so species populations may change or disappear.

Coastal areas are usually thickly populated and attract many recreational activities and related facilities that have been developed for fishing, boating, snorkeling and scuba diving, swimming, nature parks and preserves, beaches, and other resident and tourist attractions. Oil waste that invades and pollutes these areas and negatively affects human activities can have devastating and long-term effects on the local economy and society. Property values for housing tend to decrease, regional business activity declines, and future investment is risky.

The fate of oil residues on shore depends on the spilled oil’s composition and properties, the volume of oil that reaches the shore, the types of beach and coastal sediments and rocks contacted by the oil, the impact of the oil on sensitive habitats and wildlife, weather events, and seasonal and climatic conditions. Some oils evaporate, disperse, emulsify, weather, and decompose more easily than others. The weather and seasonal and climatic conditions may accelerate or delay these processes.

In 2000, several thousand penguins were affected by a fuel oil spill after the iron-ore carrier Treasure sank off South Africa. Many oil-soaked birds were cleaned and released.

Oil waste that coalesces into a tar-like substance or that saturates sediments above the surf and tide level is especially persistent. Efforts to remove the oil and clean, decontaminate, and remediate an oil-impacted shoreline may make the area more visibly attractive, but may be more harmful than helpful in terms of actual recovery.

Two enormously important oil-tanker spills that took place in European waters were the Torrey Canyon disaster off Cornwall, England, in 1967 (119,000 metric tons of crude oil were spilled) and the Amoco Cadiz disaster off Brittany, France, in 1978 (223,000 metric tons of crude oil and ship fuel were spilled). Both events led to lasting changes in the regulation of shipping and in the organization of responses to ecological emergencies such as oil spills. In North America the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989 in Prince William Sound, Alaska, caused great ecological and economic damage, though it ranks well below the largest oil-tanker spills in history if measured by the amount of oil spilled (37,000 metric tons).

The techniques used to clean up an oil spill depend on oil characteristics and the type of environment involved; for example, open ocean, coastal, or wetland . Pollution-control measures include containment and removal of the oil (either by skimming, filtering, or in situ combustion), dispersing it into smaller droplets to limit immediate surficial and wildlife damage, biodegradation (either natural or assisted), and normal weathering processes. Individuals of large-sized wildlife species are sometimes rescued and cleaned, but micro-sized species are usually ignored.

Oil spill countermeasures to clean up and remove the oil are selected and applied on the basis of many interrelated factors, including ecological protection, socioeconomic effects, and health risk. It is important to have contingency plans in place in order to deploy pollution control personnel and equipment efficiently.

The rate of recovery of the environment when an oil spill occurs depends on factors such as oil composition and Workers clean up an oil refinery spill that polluted Anacortes Bay, Washington. The floating ring of absorbent pads trailing behind the boat is being used to contain some of the oil that has spilled.

Properties and the characteristics of the area impacted, as well as the results of intervention and remediation. Physical removal of oil waste and the cleaning and decontaminating of the area assist large-scale recovery of the environment, but may be harmful to the substrate biomass. Bioremediation efforts—adding microorganisms, nutrients, and oxygen to the environment—can usually boost the rate of biodegradation.

Because of the type of oil spilled and the Arctic environment in which it spilled, it is estimated that the residue of the Exxon Valdez oil spill will be visible on the Alaskan coast for 30 years.

The costs of an oil spill are both quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative costs include loss of the oil, repair of physical facilities, payment for cleaning up the spill and remediating the environment, penalties assessed by regulatory agencies, and money paid in insurance and legal claims. Qualitative costs of an oil spill include the loss of pristine habitat and communities, as well as unknown wildlife and human health effects from exposure to water and soil pollution.

Prevention of oil spills has become a major priority; and of equal importance, efforts to contain and remove oil that has spilled are considered to be prevention of secondary spills. The costs associated with oil spills and regulations governing offshore facilities and operations have encouraged the development of improved technology for spill prevention. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was enacted by the U.S. Congress to strengthen oil spill prevention, planning, response, and restoration efforts. Under its provisions, the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund provides cleanup funds for oil pollution incidents.

Responsibility for the prevention of oil spills falls upon individuals as well as on governments and industries. Because the sources of oil waste in the ocean are generally careless, rather than accidental, truly effective prevention of oil spills involves everyone.

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By

Sachin Rajagopalan (Microbiologist)

Founder & Editor in Chief BCI