| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Feb 2010 : 13:47:49
|
This is a case for RESPONSIBLE parents to educate their own children about the dangers that have been highlighted and also to sensitise the POPULATION in general about the dangers that such objects pose to children,Cost ? Nothing, leaving organisations like unicef to persue their role in other directions,self help is the answer here.
The Government of The Gambia and KMC especially has tried to make Gambians aware that rubbish has to be disposed of with care,items that can be recycled should be,I would be interested to know if the Gambian government has any contracts in place for the purchase of collected tin cans or dry cell batteries.Aluminium cans and products(like car gearbox casings) are already recycled locally in the manufacture of cooking pots large spoons etc.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
 |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11785 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2010 : 15:21:30
|
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Aluminium cans and products(like car gearbox casings) are already recycled locally in the manufacture of cooking pots large spoons etc.
Toubab, I wonder if these cooking pots and large spoons made of a mixture of aluminium products and other metals are not toxic, especially when heated. It seems people prefer these modern utensils than the local calabashes and clay cooking pots or stainless steel. I have on many ocasions bought stainless steel cooking utensils for some relatives whenever I can. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2010 : 19:04:45
|
Hmmmmmmmmm Momodou,I have no idea,but maybe, there is probably an expert on Bantaba who will be able to tell us,as the temprature required to melt it is 660.37 °C or 933.52 K or 1220.666 °F.
which should kill most things, I take your point about "toxic" stuff remaining when gearbox casings are used for instance,I cannot answer your question specifically,see if anyone else can?
You may have unwhittingly put your finger on a very important point for Africa in general because many african countries use recycled Aluiminium for cooking pots etc.if toxins are present this is a matter that should be investigated, I have had a search around and can find no mention of any work that has been done on this.
However I still maintain that it is a parents responsibility to educate their children about playing with items tha may be dangerous.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 19 Feb 2010 19:24:59 |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11785 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2010 : 21:56:09
|
| Toubab, I agree with you 100% that it is the responsibility of the parents to educate their children not to play with these items. Any responsible parent would definitely do that. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2010 : 11:31:12
|
Momodou, the point I was trying to put forward in a rather obscure way perhaps, was that international organisations such as unicef have much more pressing committments on their plate and to make an education programme for something that as you rightly say should be the responsibilty of parents seems a waste of their resources,which I suspect are many and serious.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2010 : 14:00:50
|
Yes Toubab 1020 as some of your points are valid. However UNICEF's role is to support (in terms of funding projects, programmes, logistics/technical & sensitization activities of) the National Environment Agency; "i.e. to work in partnership with them" as quoted below:-
"The National Environmental Agency should be at the forefront of this public education campaign to protect the lives of our children.
They should develop partnership with UNICEF, the Social Welfare Department, The Department for Basic Education and other Children organisations to help the nation to know how to dispose of batteries and other hazardous wastes and protect our children from ill health. "
|
Edited by - kobo on 20 Feb 2010 14:05:43 |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2010 : 15:49:14
|
Kobo, I really cannot imagine that Gambian parents are not aware of the hazards of batteries, and rubbish in general, as the KMC have put battery collection boxes out some 5 years or so ago to collect the dangerous expired dry cell rubbish,great idea, what happened, the collection containers lasted for only a few months then became rubbish themselves and were abandoned.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2010 : 16:44:07
|
Its one of those phenomena of deprivation, poverty & under-development challenges of government of the day. Parents are aware and do everything possible to protect their children. The children are exposed to these health hazards because of scavenging, playful-ness & hunting for toy materials etc; through no faults of parents. Parenting varies from environment to environment |
Edited by - kobo on 21 Feb 2010 16:45:42 |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2010 : 18:30:33
|
Kobo, I understand what you write, basically that kids will be kids,but the fact still remains that if kids are to grow up into adults and learn from what they have been taught by their parents and organisations who try to "help" then there cannot be any excuses such as poverty deprevation and underdevelopment challanges,that you name,excuses out, responsibility in,if this concept is not adopted then developing countries will not develop and future citizens will not develop either.
I know there is a feeling (in some circles )that development is not right for everybody,thats fine but in that case those who want to "help" should be told in no uncertain terms,your "help" is not required here, we are happy as we are.Those helpers should then accept what they have been told.
I would disagree when you write "Parenting varies from environment to environment"
quote:
Originally posted by kobo
Its one of those phenomena of deprivation, poverty & under-development challenges of government of the day. Parents are aware and do everything possible to protect their children. The children are exposed to these health hazards because of scavenging, playful-ness & hunting for toy materials etc; through no faults of parents. Parenting varies from environment to environment
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2010 : 19:49:18
|
| Some years ago the health authorities warned people in sweden from using pots made of aluminium, they said there is a big risk that the toxic stuff will cause diseaces like altzheimers. The risk is said to be bigger when boiling something sour. |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2010 : 21:31:51
|
More work has been done on this by the experts and it seems unlikly ,have a read :
http://alzheimers.org.uk/factsheet/406
quote:
Originally posted by inez
Some years ago the health authorities warned people in sweden from using pots made of aluminium, they said there is a big risk that the toxic stuff will cause diseaces like altzheimers. The risk is said to be bigger when boiling something sour.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2010 : 12:09:43
|
Good site, I am still not convinced since they donīt know the reason to that desease...and since there is also aluminium in beer, I will be careful with pots
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2010 : 13:01:57
|
Inez, good point,the latest thing in the UK that our "caring socialist government" is making us aware of by TV adverts, is that more than two pints of strong lager a day for a man can lead to mouth cancer high blood pressure, strokes etc, nothing is safe at all now,I wonder when the "thought police of government " will make us all have USB sockets in our heads so that they can know and download what we are thinking ! and of course input what they would like us to think what a world.
quote:
Originally posted by inez
Good site, I am still not convinced since they donīt know the reason to that desease...and since there is also aluminium in beer, I will be careful with pots
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
