Doha needs traffic study
Dear Sir,
Doha’s growing traffic congestion calls for an urgent scientific study on energy wastage and health hazard from air pollution.
The study will help the government realise the urgency of solving traffic congestion being witnessed on some of Doha’s key roads. This will help authorities to take measures for improving road connectivity and rescheduling of office and school timings.
Traffic congestion causes wastage of energy resources like petrol and diesel. A judicious timing for the working of offices and schools will have a positive effect on traffic jams and hence on health.
Inhaling large amounts of exhaust fumes can trigger a heart attack up to six hours after exposure, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.
The study found that high levels of pollution can increase the risk of suffering a heart attack. It identifies exposure to pollutant particles and nitrogen dioxide in exhaust fumes, which are the main culprits of contaminated urban atmospheres.
M K Kunjuo, Doha, [email protected]
A welcome move by health council
Dear Sir,
The Supreme Council of Health’s plan to issue new guidelines for food handlers to ensure that they are free from diseases is appreciated.
The restaurant business is booming in Qatar. The food outlets have a large number of single workers as their customers.
It is important to make sure that food handlers are free from any contagious diseases and are following proper hygiene.
The new SCH initiative, we are happy to note, is in addition to the annual medical test food handlers undergo at the Medical Commission.
The move to introduce “an early warning system in collaboration with the World Health Organisation’s regional office to improve surveillance on the outbreak of food poisoning and other food-borne diseases”, is also a step in the right direction.
Thank you SCH!
RT, (Full name and e-mail supplied)
Please send us your letters
By e-mail
Fax 44350474
Or Post
Letters to the Editor
Gulf Times
P O Box 2888
Doha, Qatar
All letters, which are subject to editing, should have the name of the writer, address and phone number. The writer’s name and address may be withheld by request.