CONTROL ASBESTOS HAZARDS

THE ELEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO CONTROL ASBESTOS HAZARDS ARE :
- PERIODIC SURVEILLANCE TO MONITOR OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS
- ROUTINE AIR MONITORING TO ASSES CHANGES THAT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE CONDITION OF MATERIALS AS WELL AS FURTHER DOCUMENTING OF THE AIR BORNE CONCENTRATION.
- EMPLOYEE PROTECTION FOR THE MAINTENANCE WORKERS WHO UNDERTAKE REPAIR OR WORK CLOSE TO ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS.
- MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM TO WHOM THAT MIGHT HAVE EXPOSE TO ASBESTOSES􀁺TRAINING AND WORK PRACTICES
- TRAINING AND WORK PRACTICES SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS.
- NOTIFICATIONS TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDING AND WHO WORK IN THE LOCATIONS OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS, THE POTENSIAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ASBESTOS EXPOSURE .

HOW TO CONTROL ASBESTOS IN INDONESIA

- THE IDENTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL IS NEEDED AS ONE OF MANY STEPS TO MANAGE ASBESTOS FIBRE.ONE THE STEP OF IDENTIFICATION HAVE BEEN CLEARLY CARRIED OUT.
- THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT WORKERS AGAINST THE HAZARDS OF EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS IS TO ORGANISE THE WORKERS IN EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE DANGERS OF EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS
- DON’T DISTURB ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, CAUSE THEY AREN’T HAZARDOUS AS LONG AS THEY REMAIN INTACT.

RESULT OF ASBESTOS RESEARCH IN INDONESIA

- ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS ENCOUNTERED IN WORKPLACE AVERAGE 0.019 F/CC
- ASBESTOS CONCENTRATION IN AMBIENT AIR, AVERAGE 0.0001F/CC
- THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES : 2 F/CC
- NO DETECTION OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE CAUSED BY ASBESTOS FIBRES

HIGH RISK EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS

IN INDONESIA, INDUSTRIAL WHO HIGH RISK EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL ARE :
- PRIMARY ASBESTOS PRODUCTION: MINING
- SECONDARY ASBESTOS PRODUCTION : ASBES CEMENT
- INSULATION WORKING
- SHIP BUILDING AND REPAIRING
- CONSTRUCTION
- RAILWAY WORKSHOP
- FIRE EXTINGUISHER
- CHEMICAL FACTORY MAINTENANCE
- CAR MAINTENANCE
- POWER ENERGY PLANT

USE OF CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS AND THEIR PRODUCTS IN INDONESIA PER YEAR

ASBESTOS ROOF = 57 400 ton/year - with 2134 workers
CEILING, HEAT INSULATION, CONE BLOCK = 360 ton/year - with 590 workers
BRAKE SYSTEM,LINING,PADS = 200 ton/year - with 4120 workers
OTHER = 100 ton/year - with 389 workers
TOTAL = 58060 ton/year - 7233 workers

INDONESIA ALLOW TO USE CHRYSOTILE CONTAINING MATERIAL BY REGULATION :

- MINISTER OF MANPOWER REGULATION, NO. 03. 1985. ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR ASBESTOS
- PRESIDENT DECISION, NO.22.1993.ABOUT WORK RELATED DISEASE.EX, ASBESTOSIS, MESOTHELIOMA, LUNG CANCER
- MINISTER OF MANPOWER CIRCULAR LETTER, NO.01. 1997.ABOUT THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES CHEMICAL FACTOR OF ENVIRONMENT WORKING
- MINISTER OF MANPOWER REGULATION NO.74. 2001, ABOUT DANGEROUS AND POISONOUS MATERIAL MANAGEMENT

ASBESTOS IN INDONESIA

(AMINAH MAHMUDDEPARTMENT OF MANPOWER AND TRANSMIGRATION, INDONESIA)

1. GLOBAL ISSUE OF ASBESTOS, INDONESIA STILL PRIORITY TO ECONOMIC REASONS THAN ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH.
- SINCE 1959 INDONESIA USE CHRYSOTILE CONTAINING MATERIALS, NEVERTHELESS UNTILL NOW NEVER FOUND HAZARDOUS TO HEALTHY CAUSE OF ASBESTOS.􀁺ECONOMIC REASONS OF ITS USAGE IN INDONESIA
- AS REPORT FROM PERSAHABATAN ‘S HOSPITAL, A LOT OF LUNG CANCER CASES AND MESOTHELIOMA, BUT NO ONES RELATED TO ASBESTOS.
- IN INDONESIA THERE ARE 26 INDUSTRIALS WITH ABOUT 7.000 EMPLOYEES WHO FINISHED PRODUCT CONTAINING CHRYSOTILE MATERIALS.
- STILL NO DATA OR REPORTED ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE CAUSED BY ASBESTOS.

THE PATIENT'S of MESOTHELIOMA

Let's say, just like any other cancer patients, they are remaining no hope for curing their illness. Eventhough they got insurance company, healthy risk is above of all. 20 to 50 year, asbestos results in mesothelioma appear suddenly. No, excuses they have to fight alone with health condition. While the company get the money from their sick.
Despite if the dangerous of asbestos, our economic condition still need it because of its multifunction usefullnes. So, it can be think as the sacrifacion for others wealth.
Cancer are uncured, eventhough it can be controlled, there's always be chance to relaps again called secondary cancer. And usually before the patients got this secondary cancer they allready died first. What a horrible choice.
Instead of legalize use of asbestos in Indonesia, I hope goverment can rearranged the polices of its use. Mesothelioma, sounds unique, but deathly mean trick..

Irresistible cancer

I've just followed an work field training in some Hospital, and I found an illneses that caused by endangered toxic substances that provided in our suroundings.

It's called mesothelioma, mostly caused by asbestos that contained in cement and mining industries.

I can't imagine how it could be not prohibited.
Well, in Indonesia it is claimed that mesothelioma which suffered wasn't caused by asbestos.

As a report from Persahabatan Hospital, a lot of lung cancer and mesothelioma cases, but no one related to asbestos.

Eventhough, the report confirm like that, we can not neglected possibility dangerous of asbestos.

We have to be more carefully to the things that possibly contain asbestos. There are some crayons, and coloring pencils that also contain asbestos.

Remind our children, always to wash their hands after coloring or drawing.

AGE IS NEVER A LIMITING FACTOR TO STAYING FIT

Most people tend to set limits for themselves. Certain beliefs like "the fitness lifestyle is only for the youth", "I am too old to lift weights", "I am too old to look that good", and "giving birth slows down my metabolism" are the limiting factors that shape our mindset.
It may be good to have such thoughts to give us reality check, but more often than not we are trapped in those limiting thoughts. But those thoughts should stop at that, giving us reality check so we can pursue whatever we aspire to more wisely. In no way should we allow those thoughts to determine what is possible and what we can achieve in the future. With your health and youthful spirit, age is never a limiting factor.
The fitness lifestyle is a lifestlye that incorporates regular resistance training and aerobic activities, balanced nutritional intake and sound rest.
By living this lifestyle, all people regardless of age, starting physical condition and gender will notice improved muscular and bodily functions, heightened metabolism and daily vitality, better blood sugar control, a desired shift in physical composition and sexual vigor and a blockage or even reversal of the aging process.

HOW TO STOP EMOTIONAL EATING?

(The Starr)
Though strong emotions can trigger cravings for food, you can take steps to control those cravings. To help stop emotional eating, try these suggestions:
1. Learn to recognize true hunger. Is your hunger physical or emotional? If you ate just a few hours ago and don't have a rumbling stomach, you are probably not really hungry. Give the craving a few minutes to pass.
2. Know your triggers. For the next several days, write down what you eat, how you are feeling when you eat and how hungry you are. Over time, you may see patterns emerge that reveal negative eating patterns and triggers to avoid.
3. Look elsewhere for comfort. Instead of unwrapping a candy bar, take a walk, treat yourself to a movie, listen to a music, read or call a friend. If you think that stress relating to a particular event is nudging you toward the refrigerator, try talking to someone about it to distract yourself. Plan enjoyable events for yourself.
4. Don't keep unhealthy foods around. Avoid having an abundance of high-calorie comfort foods in the house. If you feel hungry or blue, postpone the shopping trip for a few hours so that these feelings don't influence your decision at the store.
5. Snack healthy. If you feel the urge to eat between meals, choose a low-fat, low-calorie food, such as fresh fruit, vegetables with fat-free dip or unbuttered popcorn. Or test low-fat, lower calorie versions of your favorite foods to see if they satisfy your cravings.
6. Eat a balanced diet. If you are not getting enough calories to meet your energy needs, you may be more likely to give in to emotional eating. Try to eat at fairly regular times and don't skip breakfast. Include foods from the basic groups in your meals. Emphasize whole grains, vegetables and fruits, as well as low-fat dairy products and lean protein sources. When you feel up on the basics, you are more likely to feel fuller, longer.
7. Exercise regularly and get adequate rest. Your mood is more manageable and your body can more effectively fight stress when it is fit and well rested.

WHY EMOTIONAL EATING APPEAR?

Sometimes the strongest longings for food happen when you are at your weakest point emotionally. Many people turn to food for comfort - consciously or unconsciously - when they are facing a difficult problem or looking to keep themselves occupied. But emotionally eating - eating as a way to suppress or soothe negative emotions, such as stress, anger, anxiety, boredom, sadness, and loneliness- can sabotage your weight-loss efforts.
Often, emotional eating leads eating too much food, especially high-calorie, sweet, salty and fatty foods. The good news is that if you are prone to emotional eating, you can take steps to regain control of your eating habits and get back on track with your weight-loss goals.
Major life events - such as unemployment, health problems and divorce - and daily life hassles - such as stressfull work commute, bad weather and changes in your normal routine - can trigger emotions that lead to overeating.
But why do negative emotions lead to overeating? Some foods may have seemingly addictive qualities. For eaxample, when you eat enticing foods, such as chocolate, your body releases trace amounts of mood - and satisfaction elevating hormones. That "reward" may reinforce a preference for foods that are most closely associated with specific feelings. Related to this is the simple fact that the pleasure of eating offsets negative emotions.
Food can also be a distraction. If you are worried about an upcoming event or rethinking an earlier conflict, eating comfort foods may distract you. But the distraction is only temporary. While you are eating, your thoughts focus on the pleasant taste of your comfort food. Unfortunately, when you done overeating, your attention returns to your worries, and you may now bear the additional burden of guilt about overeating.

If you give in to emotional eating, forgive yourself and start fresh next day. Try to learn from the experience, and make a plan for how you can prevent it in the future. Focus on the effective changes you are making in your eat habits and give yourself credit for making changes that ensure better health.

NEVER SKIP YOUR BREAKFAST

(Strait Times)

Body-concious teens may believe cutting out breakfast will help them loose weight, but the opposite apears to be the case. Those who skipped breakfast weight on average 2.3kg more than those who ate first thing in the day. And this was so even though the breakfast-eaters consumed more calories in the course of the day. An additional research said, those who ate breakfast-and then ate more during the day-were likely to be more active.
The research adds weight to evidence that people who eat breakfast-whatever their age-are learner than those who do not. It may seem counter-intuitive, but while they ate more calories, they did more to burn those off, and that may be because whose ate breakfast did not feel so lethargic.
While it's best to go for a healthy option, a wholegrain cereal for instance, the evidence does seem to suggest that eating anything is better than eating nothing at all.
Around 25 percent students/people (from population sampling research) were regularly missed breakfast, and the problem was particularly pronounced among young women. They skip breakfast because they worry about weight gain-and it's ironic that the ones who aren't worried and eat in the mornings are the ones who keep their weight down.
If you eat well first thing, you'll feel brighter, you'll have more get up and go and you'll expend more energy. Eating regular meal is vital, and a proper breakfast is very important. Cutting up breakfast does not help you lose weight.
Wholegrain cereal is best. But anything is better than no breakfast. You are likely to be more active and burn off more calories during the day if you do eat breakfast because you won't feel lethehrgic. Those who eat breakfast are more likely to keep their weight down.

SNEC

The most common and advanced cataract surgery technique at the Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC), 91.5 percent of cataract surgeries are performed by phacoemulsification. In medicine, new concepts and technology constantly surfaces and the SNEC has been instrumental in bringing advanced microsurgical techniques and lens implant technology to the nation and the region.
For almost two decades now, SNEC has been treating cases of poor eyesight in local patients as well as from overseas. Cases range from cataract to LASIK surgeries to potentially blinding conditions such as cornea and retinal diseases.
The high quality and volume of SNEC's services has seen the institution become the leading eye-center in the Asia-Pasific region and beyond.

LASIK

One major challenge faced by surgeon in cataract surgery is to achieve accurate refractive results in the patients who have had previous LASIK or other corrective surgeries. These procedures change the shape of their corneas and may pose inconsistent results during eyeball masurement when calculating their IOL power. However, with sophisticated new machinery and calculations formulas, the results after cataract surgery for these patients are proving to be very accurate.

ASTIGMATISM

Astigmatism for example, can be corrected in cataract surgery with use of a "toric" IOL or by performing Limbal Relaxing Incisions during the cataract surgery. These incisions are placed near the outer border of the cornea to modify and correct back the shape of the cornea, hence correcting astigmatism.

CATARACT PATIENTS

As cataract patients are becoming more involved and demanding with their choices, the trend of cataract surgery would be to provide vision for all activities without glasses. To achieve this, an accurate measurement of the eye ball before surgery is crucial. This requires the use of state-of-the-art machinery by experienced techinicians so as to obtain accurate results used in choosing the right IOLs power to use during cataract surgery.

"WAVEFRONT" IOLs

On the other hand, the "wavefron" IOLs can help reduce or omit aberrations of images that we sometimes see, especially in the dark when our pupils are larger. "Yellow'" or blue-blocking IOLs help block out the blue light that is believed to harm our macula and causes degenerative changes (all IOLs have ultraviolet tint anyway, to protect eyes against the sun's rays). "Toric" IOLs, like Toric contact lenses, are used in cases with a significant amount of astigmatism, so as to correct the astigmatism during the cataract surgery. The concept has been around for some time, but it is only current the designs that have shown better predictability and stability of resuts.

IOLs DEVELOPMENT

Prior to development of IOLs, cataract patients were forced to wear thick glasses or contact lenses after surgery; they were essentially blind without their glasses. However there has been remarkable improvement in the designs of these IOLs over the years. Currently, most IOLs used in phacoemulsification are made of either silicone or acrylic. These materials make the IOLs pliable. Hence they can be folded or rolled to be placed into the eye.
In addition, there is also an array of IOLs ranging from "multifocal" to "wavefront", "yellow", "toric" and many more. The new "multifocal" and accomodating IOLs offer the possibility of seeing well at more than one distance and solving more vision problems than ever. Earlier designs had problems with glare but the current ones semms to work much better and are popular.

CATARACT SURGERY

(compiled from: www.flyfreefor health.com)

A cataract is a condition in which the crystalline lens of the eye becomes opaque, preventing sufficient light rays from entering the eye, hence impairing vision. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world and they develop fo a number of reasons:
1. Prolonged exposure to UV light,
2. long-term use of certain medications,
3. hypertension
4. old age
5. secondary effect of diseases such as diabetes, to mention a few.
6. In the young, cataracts can be present at birth or can develop as a result of injury.
The most common and advanced cataract surgery technique is phacoemulsification (performed as a day/ambulatory surgery). In phacoemulsification, a handled instrument driven by ultrasound is used to emulsify and aspirate the cataract lens out of the eye through an incision as tiny as 1.8 mm. The instrument has metallis tip, which vibrates at a very high speed. The device that drives this vibration is housed in a machine that controls the flow of fluid into the eye.
The entire system is important in keeping the eye stable and fluidics correct to allow the surgeon to operate safely and efficiently. The surgery is complete with less discomfort, a more rapid rehabilitation of vision and with the possibility the patient will no longer have to rely on spectacles.
Once the cataract-damaged lens has been removed, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted. This implant measures about 12.5 mm in length; it is inert and stay in the eye forever.