Do you know the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting? Sanitising refers to cleaning one’s hands in order to reduce the number of potential pathogens that could be transmitted to others. Disinfecting refers to killing pathogens on surfaces, which may require chemicals harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Do you know what is in the hand sanitizers … [Read more...]
Hand sanitisers: clearing up the confusion
It’s important to understand the difference between sanitising and disinfecting. Sanitising refers to cleaning one’s hands in order to reduce the number of potential pathogens that could be transmitted to others. Disinfecting refers to killing pathogens on surfaces, which may require chemicals harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Many manufacturers have … [Read more...]
Let’s raise our voices and demand a just recovery for all
In July, the people that control the budgets of the world’s 20 richest countries – Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors – will meet to discuss how they will spend public money. In the midst of a global health pandemic, where people have lost so much, will they opt for a ‘business as usual recovery’ and bail out industries that drive climate crisis and inequality – or … [Read more...]
Lockdown gives dive operators time to rethink sustainability
The world is at a standstill to flatten the Covid-19 curve, a pause that has been especially devastating to the travel industry. But for some marine tourism operators in Indonesia and Malaysia, the lockdown has inspired new innovations. The picturesque Ceningan Divers Resort in Bali, Indonesia—though closed for guests since March 19—has set up an online education portal … [Read more...]
Complementary medicine regulations to be challenged in high court
After two years of legal wrangling, the controversial complementary medicine regulations are to be reviewed and adjudicated this week. Starting on Tuesday, Traditional and Natural Health Alliance (TNHA) Chairperson Anthony Rees will be representing the Alliance of Natural Health Products South Africa (ABHPSA) before the Gauteng North High Court. This case places under … [Read more...]
Nature must be protected to reduce the risk of future pandemics
There is a single species that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic - us. As with the climate and biodiversity crises, recent pandemics are a direct consequence of human activity – particularly our global financial and economic systems, based on a limited paradigm that prizes economic growth at any cost. We have a small window of opportunity, in overcoming the challenges of … [Read more...]
Healing in the time of Corona
Thanks to a clever little virus, our collective hamster wheel has come to an abrupt halt, throwing many of us off and spinning in the other direction, towards ourselves. My fear is that between the Vitamin C popping, baking and Zoom calls, we are avoiding the questions that lie beneath the conspiracy theories and that bring us face to face with our mortality. Questions that … [Read more...]
Ecological reflections on the coronavirus
The coronavirus health crisis is connected to the emergency of extinction, the disappearance of species and the climate emergency. All emergencies are rooted in a mechanistic, militaristic, anthropocentric world view of humans as separate from, and superior to other beings who we can own, manipulate and control. It is also rooted in an economic model based on the illusion … [Read more...]
Protect your lungs this World Tuberculosis Day
Today is World Tuberculosis Day, and the National Council against Smoking (NCAS) is placing the spotlight on the impact of smoking on tuberculosis (TB). TB is the country’s leading cause of death at 8.8% of all deaths, according to Stats SA. TB is passed on from one person to another through the air, usually through coughing or sneezing. It is fully treatable although the … [Read more...]
GOTG partners with government for covid-19 intervention
Gift of the Givers (GOTG) is a partner to the government's Covid-19 initiative, augmenting public health services by supporting medical professionals with protective wear, supplying relevant essential medical equipment and providing medical consumables to the institutions in urgent need. The National Health Minister is fully appraised of their intervention through the Deputy … [Read more...]
Moratorium on the rollout of 5G essential
Radiation exposure has long been a concern for the public, policy makers and health researchers. Beginning with radar during World War II, human exposure to radio-frequency radiation (RFR) and associated technologies has grown more than 100,000-fold. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the published literature and categorized RFR as a … [Read more...]
Highly allergenic ragweed invades South Africa
This week scientists made a landmark discovery when ragweed – a highly allergenic weed native to North America – was detected in South African pollen spore traps for the very first time. The discovery was made by Dr Dilys Berman, an aerobiologist at UCT and Prof Jonny Peter, who heads up the UCT Lung Institute’s Allergy Unit. Palynologist, Dr Frank Neumann, based at Wits … [Read more...]
Activists highlight Safripol’s toxic legacy with protest action
It is high time that Safripol, one of Africa’s top plastic manufacturers, takes full responsibility for its toxic legacy of air pollution in local communities. Yesterday, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and its supporters protested in Cape Town outside the building where KAP Industrial Holdings Limited's annual shareholder meeting is hosted. This … [Read more...]
