Here is an information for our cyclist and rich members who lives in expensive condos.
In a BBC report today. ‘ Edinburgh University scientists found minuscule particles produced by burning diesel can increase the chance of blood clots forming in arteries.
The blood clots can then lead to heart attacks or stroke.’
So cycling or running on the road in heavy traffic may not be a good idea. Also those of you rich people living in Condos, the monthly mosquito fumigation is basically spraying diesel fumes in your estate.
I suppose we have to pay a price for living in a modern society. The vegetables and fruits are contaminated with pesticides which may lead eventually to certain illness.
As for fumigation, it is also practised in HDB housing estates. The town council does on a regular basis, the fumigation of the rubbish chutes to terminate the cockroaches and the spray of pesticides on the drains to get rid of mosquitoes. All these measures are detrimental to the environment
I am wondering whether there are solutions to these problems. Can there be alternative ways which are environment-friendly. For instance, the drains can be designed with enough gradient to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water. The creation of water ecosystems to allow the breeding of large numbers of dragonfly which are great predators of mosquitoes. Another predator is the swift.
As for the cockroach menace, perhaps HDB can re-design the chutes to prevent the infestation. It has been repoted that a country in Europe used liquid nitrogen to exterminate the rats hidden in the crevices of the sewage tunnels. This is ingenious as nitrogen is an inert gas, inexpensive and does not pollute the environment.
Hi Tian Soo,
I stay in Hougang, but I have only seen fumigation once a year or whenever there are news of mosquitoes dengue fever outbreaks. Didnt know they do the spraying monthly. I didnt know they are diesel fumes. Really or not, or I must then lodge a complaint with my town council.
Terence Seah
Terence
Most condos’ fumigate once a month, depending on how ‘kia-su’ are the council members. I think HDB town councils only fumigates as and when required.
Yes, the fumes you get is generated by burning diesel. It is worst than standing behind 100 diesel vehicles. But you can shut your windows and be away until the the fumes disperse. Then they only pollute the air for others.
Most of us knows that vehicles emits carbon monoxide. They are good for committing suicide because carbon monoxide have no smell and you just sleep it off…for good. On the road you only inhale a little, so it would not kill you right away but introduces carcinogens to your lungs and let cancer finish the job.
The link between diesel fumes to heart attack and stroke is quite new.
What a wonderful world. If we keep away from traffic and stay at home, we might as well die. So,a better option is to enjoy ourselves before the fumes get us.
My housing estate’s fumigation is once in every three months – that’s often cos it’s Uncle Goh’s constituency. Notices are prominently displayed & suggestions for residents to avoid being outdoors, shut windows, tape rubbish chutes, etc. Realy effective – many & all sizes of cockroaches get killed but alas, got to clean up areas near windows & rubbish chutes after fumigation.
Yes, CO is odourless. So be sure, car owners/drivers, to service your cars regularly to check in case, this gas gets leaked into vehicle.
We can’t avoid being outdoors, so exercising is best done at a beach, park or anywhere else away from pollution.
The link between diesel fumes and heart attack or stroke has been extended to lung cancer & respiratory problems (going by the increase in cases at hospitals).
As Tian Soo says, we can do our utmost to take care.
Good health to everyone,
LS
Tian Soo
Just learnt that you are staying at a farm – how refreshing & interesting. Can you share with us how it is like to be away from the city (pollution) and be among nature ?
Tks, Lydia Soh
Hi Lydia Soh
Yes,I live in a farm.
It is actually not as refreshing as you see in pictures. We have constant conflicts with neighbours about their chemical spraying and chicken dung smells.
As for it being interesting, you need to appreciate mosquitoes, flies, rats and snakes. Plus the very hot tropical sun.
We are here because we treasure quiet solitude. That is why we keep a low profile and do not encourage casual visitors.
Tku Tian Soo, for the enlightment on your farm stay. I like the reason for your choice of abode – continue to enjoy your good health. See you at the next Walk.
LS
We can safely deduce that many irresponsible Singaporeans, highly educated or otherwise, plus foreigners have still been littering our environment with paper, castaways and food debris when nobody is looking. This gives rise to the drainage blockages creating pools for mosquito breeding and rat population explosion. Rats in turn attract their prime predator, the reticulated python. Carcinogenic fumigation fumes have a direct bearing on our health. Unless everybody owns up to his responsibility to keep Singapore pristine clean, no effective solution is in sight.
Terry P. Y. Tang/28.9.11