MOSQUITO ECONOMY

The average weight of a mosquito is 2.5 milligrams, this small insect has dealt a big blow to the human race directly or indirectly with Africa being the most severely hit.   According to 2010 WHO statistics, 90% of 655,000 deaths in the world occur in Africa of which 34000 are Kenyans.  A study carried by KEMRI indicated that financial implication to a Kenyan household ranges between 9 – 20 dollars per month during Malaria peak time with the poor who live below a dollar a day making the bulky of the affected population.

The 2.5 Milligram insect is estimated to be costing Africa us $ 12 billion annually; this is slightly over one trillion Kenyan shillings.  In other words, this is an equivalent of Kenya’s annual budget.  This inset is a nuisance to the world economy as is when is enclosed in your sleeping net. If we were to have our way, we could exterminate the tiny insect from the face of the earth but the methodology available will lead to higher collateral damage environmentally and economically. In fact, it may as well eliminate or cause more boundless suffering to humanity.   Insects play a critical role in for example e agriculture, plant insect pollination is far high than the 12 us dollar billions.

One of the successful methods employed to eliminate mosquitoes so far has been by spraying the mosquito habitat with DDT, an organochloride pesticide first synthesized in 1874 by Othmer Zeidler an Austrian doctoral student and whose properties as contact insecticide were discovered by Paul H. Muller 1939. DDT was successfully used to kill mosquitoes thus preventing malaria in the USA, scaling it down in India, North Africa and Arab countries.  Today America is a malaria free state, the 1200 cases of malaria reported per year are caused by mosquitoes stowed by planes, and military infected military returning home from malaria prone countries or immigrants.

ANOPHELES MOSQUITO

 Lethality to insects led to increased production to cater for Agricultural purposes and to date it is estimated that a total of 1.8 million tones of DDT have been produced globally. It should be noted that the characteristics which has made it so successful have in equal measure made it controversial.  DDT or its metabolites persist in the environment and has spread from the poles to the tropics DDT in all ecosystems through terrestrial and marine food webs.  Most disturbing is its solubility in fat. Once in a the food chain, it means it will only accumulate and higher concentration will be on the top of food chains like human beings and other secondary and tertiary consumers.  In controlled environments it tests have shown that it can induce cancerous tumors in rats and by extension it can to humans. It is also associated with birth defects, genetic and reproductive effects.

The effects led to a ban on use of DDT or its derivatives by USA in 1972 after research by Rachel Carson – marine biologists evidenced the role of DDT in the environment more especially to wildlife.  Most endangered were birds of prey an example bald eagle in the USA its populations reduced to a point of endangered species, over time after the banning of DDT during the Stockholm conference in 1972 the bald eagle population started to increase to no endangered or threatened.  The research is chronicled in the Silent Springs a book she authored in 1960.

The economic impact of Malaria may make countries like Kenya to rethink lifting of the ban on DDT by applying to UN secretariat and WHO on its intentions. However, the application is pegged on unavailability of alternatives to DDT and lack of mosquito resistance to the pesticide. Sadly, mosquitoes have developed resistance in areas where DDT was used for agricultural spray continued use may result to evolution of super insects. The conditions of lifting a DDT ban is are so high, this is compounded by the strict fresh market conditions in Asia and the west which will disallow Kenyan fresh produce accessing their markets dealing a blow to our agricultural depended economy.  

It then means that the mosquito will enjoy it freedom much longer and will keep holding the world to a ransom. We have the ability to eliminate it but again it will be like you are eliminating yourself.  The only option is to keep hiding and pillow fight it the tiny insect. It is a mosquito world.

A SLOW BUT SURE KILLER

 It takes between 15 to 60 years from the time of exposure till signs of sickness appear, its treatment is not only expensive but painful as well - asbestos and its effect.

WHAT ARE ASBESTOS
Asbestos are a set of naturally occurring silicate mineral materials that are fibrous in structure.
Its qualities like fire resistant, good insulation, corrosion resistant, durability high strength, and good flexibility led to its fast spread in the world in the last century.
It was later banned in many countries after it was found to cause respiratory, alimentary complications but due to its durability, asbestos products such as roofing sheets are still available.  In Developed countries where the problem was first realized, stringent measure to handle asbestos and materials associated are in place.
However, in the developing countries, though the problem isn't serious, lack of knowledge on the effects and handling procedure of asbestos is a concern. Consider photo 1 below of open dumped asbestos debris, apart from being unsafe way of disposal, there is high possibility of exposure to people who handled the materials from where they were as asbestos sheets and more exposure to people when open disposed.

                                                 Photo 1. Asbestos debris disposed in the open

WHERE ASBESTOS IS FOUND
1. as roofing sheets for industries, institutions and residential houses
2. Boiler lining
3. Brake pads and clutch blades and gaskets of vehicles
4. Some type of fabrics like fire blanket
5. Toys

HOW TO IDENTIFY ASBESTOS
Asbestos can only be positively identified through laboratory analysis. However, building and other materials produced before 1980s contain asbestos. A reason enough to take care while dealing products cement sheets from old buildings

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INCREASE OF EXPOSURE
1. Asbestos disposal in the open
2. Because they are ceramic like you will find them pieces thrown on pathways and rough roads
3. People removing them do no use protective equipment
4.  Re-use fairly large-sized pieces in building kiosks in estates

Photo 2. Big broken asbestos sheets re-used to make a structure

WHY ASBESTOS IS A HAZARD
they are a set of naturally occurring silicate mineral materials that are fibrous in structure.
Its qualities like fire resistant, good insulation, corrosion resistant, durability high strength, and good flexibility led to its fast spread in the world in the last century.
It was later banned in many countries but due to its durability, asbestos products such as roofing sheets are still available.  In Developed countries where the problem was first realized, stringent measure to handle asbestos and materials associated are in place.
However, in the developing countries, though the problem isn't serious, lack of knowledge on the effects and handling procedure of asbestos is a concern. Consider  photo 1 below of open dumped asbestos debris, apart from  being unsafe way of disposal, there is high possibility of exposure to people who handled the materials from where they were as asbestos sheets.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ASBESTOS OF EXPOSURE
1. Asbestos disposal in the open
2. Because they are ceramic like you will find them pieces thrown on pathways and rough roads
3. People removing them do no use protective equipment
4.  Re-use of fairly large-sized pieces in building kiosks in estates

WHY ASBESTOS IS A HAZARD
the major asbestos concern stems from its disease-causing nature. It causes asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos fibers even in combined form like with cement will continue to fragment from visible to microscopic when airborne to respiratory and alimentary systems.

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH ASBESTOS
1. MESOTHELIOMA
Is a cancer of the mesothelial cells which make a lining around the lungs called pleural and a lining around abdominal organs called peritoneum these two linings produce lubricating fluid to avoid irritation of internal organs during movement
Symptoms include chest pain, weight loss, and chronic cough, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and bowel obstruction.
2. ASBESTOSIS
It is inflammation and fibrous change of lungs.
Symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pains, and breathe shortness can ultimately lead to heart diseases.
3. LUNG CANCER

HOW TO HANDLE ASBESTOS
For you to prove a sheet as asbestos you need it is important to carry out a lab test but the rule of the thumb is never touch/ disturb a material suspected.
And if you have to, then follow the procedure below:-
1. Wear nose masks other protective gear such disposable overall with hood and lace-less shoes when dealing with asbestos.
2. If working with asbestos, isolate the area with warning using isolation tape
3. Dampen before bolting or unbolting to avoid asbestos dust blow
4. Don't sweep floor suspected with asbestos; wet clean
5.handle with care to avoid breakage.
6. Remove your respirator or mask last after dealing with anything that had come into contact with asbestos

SAFE DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS
Countries like the USA asbestos is a serious issue and is only handled by qualified people following well laid down procedures for disposal. However in most developing nations, as much as the procedures are there, not  is in practice.
In situation where there are no designated landfills, bury them deep in a landfill or a specially dug out hole where you can't disturb them to the surface.

A DAY AT WORK

A day is a social unit of your life  how you live it determines your life. To have a satisfactory life, ensures your day’s goals are met, more importantly, strive to achieve the best for yourself. As you start your day have a picture in your mind to develop your career, and enhance your social ties. In doing this, your employer and fellow workers too will be happy lot too. In other words when we do good, it spreads to those around us.

Start your day’s work by clearing your inbox, this will enable you to arrange the day’s activities to a high level of certainty and removes the haphazard nature of working that characterize most workplaces and make your day flow smoothly, always give room for emergencies or unplanned assignments and when they come, know they are part of your day’s program, for if you planned your day’s activities the emergency activity will only push the less prioritized activities to later hours or later date.

 Focus your thoughts on finding better way to lighten not only your burden but for others as well. You do not have to discover a spacecraft to take people to Mars in an hour nor a vaccine to end cancer from the world to prove having done your best for people. The simple act of going the extra mile to do a small good, show how something is done, appreciate another, be thankful, congratulate with an open heart, serve with a smile or say sorry is worth a discovery. But if you can make a discovery as well, the world will celebrate with you and be thankful and the rewards will be abundant, at the core of it will be more money at the end of work or month.

Though important in day-to-day life, you should not be shrouded by excessive pursuit of money, it should remain a reward. We should derive more pleasure from working and not the money. To illustrate this, see yourself as a fruit farmer, to get fruits, has to tend the fruit tree by weeding, spraying, pruning before the tree started producing fruits. Just as the farmer delights tending the tree so you should with your work. Money is occasional but work is daily, if you only enjoy the money you will only be happy occasionally but if you enjoy work every time we are working you will be happy and hence in our life.

writer taking a visitor through the factory

You spend a third or more of your day at work, this is a significant part of your day and we must derive full enjoyment or at least be happy at work. Being happy means you have a great company, you like and enjoy what you do or what you are assigned. To higher extent a happy person at work will be a happy person at home and by extension a happy family. The opposite is also true.

Create friendship at work, your fellow workers are like pieces of a maze, not only when together in an arrangement do they make the perfect picture but also every piece is important to complete the picture. This underlines the fact that everyone at work is important, and we need each other not only at work but in our lives as work is life long activity.

With all these, you will look forward to another day at work with anticipation.

FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS

Often referred as a good servant but a bad master, fire has the potential to change direction of life socially, economically and environmentally. Business empires have been turned to ashes, wild animals and plants life complexity altered, lives lost or permanent deformities caused.  Examples are many in the country; Sacchangwan, Sinai, Nakumatt, fire tragedies, numerous schools where lives of children have ended tragically or families where a mother closed children indoors with a lantern burning or even the entire family perishing in the dead of the night.  This paints a grin picture of a people with little knowledge or ill prepared to deal with fire disaster.

Fire is not just the naked flame as most of us know it,  naked flame is one of the many Sources of ignition others include sparks from grinding, welding, electric, internal combustion or static ignition.  Basic knowledge to minimize fire ignition or spread favorable conditions and a fair level of preparedness to deal with fire incident from getting out control is important for us all.

 Fire is a composition of three ingredients; fuel, heat, and oxygen. These components must be available for fire to occur and are presented in a triangle popularly known as the fire triangle  as shown below:-

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Heat component as indicated, is provided by any source of ignition, if ignition occurs where there is fuel and oxygen then it is a matter of fire spreading. Fuel sources include solids such as wood, paper, textiles, plastics etc; liquids such as of petroleum products and other chemicals; gases such as liquefied petroleum gas, acetylene, and hydrogen.  Oxygen is part of the air, what is referred as the active part of air; this is enhanced by wind or ventilation. Oxygen can be found stored in cylinders in places like factories or hospital. Other chemicals upon ignition can burn without supply of air by burning to give out continuous supply of oxygen to aid burning.

TYPES OF FIRES

Fires are classified according to the source of ignition or fuel that is burning:

Class A – fire burning from wood, garments etc

Class B – fire burning from flammable liquids e.g. petrol

Class C – fire due to electrical fault or on electrical powered equipment

Class D – fire from flammable metals e.g. magnesium

TYPES OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT/HOW TO PUT OUT THE ABOVE FIRES

Each class of fire has a given fire fighting equipment to use. Use of incorrect extinguisher to put out oil or electrical fire will cause more fire or damage the equipment.  Oil floats on water, thus use of water to extinguishing oil fire will spread the fire. Fire will short circuit an appliance connected or that uses electrical power and may even cause electrical shock to you.

Fire class A can be put out by water type or Dry Powder (universal type). However the best is water, dry powder will only put out flames leaving it burning below the surface.

For Class B fire use Foam type or Dry Powder.  They create a blanket on the surface of oil thus preventing further burning.

Class c type use CO₂ or dry powder

Class D has special extinguishers depending on the chemical.

It must be noted that in some situations there may be more that one fire type where for electric fire may start from a cable and clothes or other materials start burning, it is important to note at these point that in case of fire where there is potential of electricity being involved, isolate at the meter box. Be wary of machines with capacitors as well.

   DON'T AND DOS TO REDUCE FIRE INCIDENCE AND FIRE RISKS

1.       Avoid using power extension cords

2.       Don’t pass cords under the carpet or hang them, instead increase power point sources.

3.       Do not overload a power source with many appliance

4.       Always disconnect fire appliances from power source when not in use or when not at home

5.       Label container containing various liquids keep away fuel from near fire points

6.       Do not leave any cooking, burning fire such as candles unattended

7.       Be  careful when burning open fires and more especially when it is dry and windy

8.       Keep all lighters, portable gas cylinders away from the reach of children

9.       Discard waste papers and rags safely, do not leave them accumulate in or next to the house

10.   Teach family members what to do in case of fire

11.   Scan documents such as certificates and send them to your another email account

12.   Have your family members  and visitors know the fire exits

PUTTING OUT A FIRE:

1.       Raise alarm by shouting fire!  Fire! Fire!

2.       Help people evacuate the building, more so the vulnerable like elderly, lame and children to a save place.

3.       Identify the source and know the fire equipment to use. It is advisable to have a universal extinguisher at your home (dry powder) type.

4.       It is advisable to have a back-up to check whether the exit is clear and to help in case of anything.

5.       Take your fire fighting equipment if the fire is small. Know the apply PASS word  of the equipment

-          P – Pull the pin of the extinguisher

-          A -  Aim at he base of the fire

-          S  -  Squeeze the handle

-          S  -  Sweep from side to side

But if the fire is out of your control, your life comes first, stop and call the fire brigade. Do not try to put out fire you may not know how far it has spread in the building and may close your exit. Remember:

-    If fire finds you in a building crawl to the exit as the smoke rises up firsts  

-  Do not go back to the house once outside till it has been full ascertained to be safe. There has been instances where people ran to collect their hand bags or phones but never to make it out again. Things may be replaced but not life

- If on apartment and smoke has closed the exit close the door and cover openings with wet cloths like blankets and call for help, most fire deaths are not caused by heat but from suffocation and dangerous gases.

- Before renting an office or residential, check whether the building has emergency exits