http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/40388 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:22:43 GMT 2013-06-18T12:22:43Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/41826 Title: Basic hygiene can beat diarrhoea : a lesson from the slums of Dhaka Authors: Alam, Jahangir Editors: Bellamy, Rufus Abstract: Diarrhoea is a common water-borne disease amongst slum children in Bangladesh and is one of the five leading causes of infant illness and death in the country. Now, a new SANDEE study has looked at the causes and impacts of this disease in the slums of Dhaka. The study finds that overcrowding and poor basic amenities, coupled with a lack of attention to basic personal hygiene, results in a high risk of infection. Fifty percent of children in the study sample suffered from diarrhoea during a two-week period prior to the survey. However, relatively simple measures, such as the use of a narrow-neck water container or hand-washing can reduce diarrhoeal risk and duration. The mother's education and awareness also play an important role in lowering the prevalence of diarrhoea. The study assesses the financial cost of diarrhea to households and finds that slum households spend approximately 1% of their annual income on diarrhoea related costs. Description: This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 46-09 "Prevalence and costs of childhood diarrhoea in the slums of Dhaka" Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/41826 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/41824 Title: Why tackling indoor air pollution makes sense : a study from Nepal Authors: Malla Thakuri, Min Bikram Editors: Bellamy, Rufus Abstract: Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a major environmental health problem in Nepal. Most of the poor in the country cook in poorly ventilated kitchens using inefficient stoves that burn wood and other biomass fuels creating a dangerous cocktail of hundreds of pollutants. They, therefore, suffer from numerous respiratory health problems. In a recent study, Min Bikram Malla Thakuri looked at the costs and benefits of a particular indoor air pollution control initiative and found that it offers a viable and cost-effective way of dealing with IAP. Description: This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 44-09 "Re-visiting the need of improved stoves : estimating health, time and carbon benefits" Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/41824 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/38978 Title: Health cost of cement production : a study for air pollution in Sri Lanka Authors: Bogawatte, C.; Herath, Janaranjana Editors: Bellamy, Rufus Description: This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 35-08, "Air quality and cement production : examining the implications of point source pollution in Sri Lanka" Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/38978 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/38977 Title: Open fires, dirty air and respiratory diseases : examining health costs from indoor air pollution in Nepal Authors: Pant, K. P. Editors: Bellamy, Rufus Abstract: A SANDEE report from Nepal looks at an environmental and social problem that has long plagued rural communities in the country – the health impact of indoor air pollution (IAP) caused by cooking fires. The study finds that, although most poor people accept indoor air pollution as a ‘fact of life’, it is, in truth, a very significant health problem, especially for women and children. The study also finds that relatively simple solutions such as improved cooking stoves (ICS) and the use of clean fuels such as biogas can reduce levels of indoor air pollution and significantly improve people’s health. An assessment of the costs and benefits of these solutions show that there is a very strong economic rationale for adopting them in preference to traditional fuels such as wood. Both biogas and improved cooking stoves provide benefits far in excess of their relatively small costs. It is clear that if rural health policy is to be effective, more work needs to be done to highlight the dangers of indoor air pollution and to promote the economic savings and health benefits that ‘clean’ cooking technology can bring. Description: This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 34-08, "Estimating health benefits when behaviors are endogenous : a case of indoor air pollution in rural Nepal" Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/38977 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/38975 Title: Can tax combat pollution? : an assessment of the Sri Lankan rubber industry Authors: Edirisinghe, Jagath Editors: Bellamy, Rufus Abstract: Rubber processing in Sri Lanka is one of the most polluting industrial activities in the country, and, the current ‘command and control’ system of pollution control is proving to be ineffective. Now, a new SANDEE research suggests that taxation could be used to encourage the industry to clean up its act. // The SANDEE study recommends that the government should levy a tax equivalent to 8.6 per cent of the total annual turnover of the rubber industry. It argues that this would provide an incentive for the rubber industry to meet environmental standards. Such an economic instrument would also motivate the Sri Lankan Central Environmental Authority to monitor effluents more carefully, and that would give polluting firms an incentive to find innovative ways of dealing with their waste, such as recycling the chemicals in their effluents. Description: This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 30-08, "Taxing pollution : a case for reducing the environmental impacts of rubber production in Sri Lanka" Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/38975 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z