Eco Friendly Paint

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has developed a prototype of a moveable electric cremation system which claims to be using first-of-its-kind technology that involves smokeless cremation despite using wood.It uses half of the wood otherwise required for the cremation and still is eco-friendly because of the technology that uses combustion air system.The electric cremation system, developed by the Chandigarh-based IITs Ropar institute, is based on wick-stove technology in which the wick when lighted glows yellow. This is converted into a smokeless blue flame with the help of combustion air system installed over the wicks.IIT Professor Harpreet Singh, Dean, Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research and Industry Interaction (ICSR&II) who has developed the system said that the cremation system or incinerator heats up at 1,044 degree Celsius which ensures complete sterilisation. The cart-shaped incinerator has wheels and can be transported anywhere without much efforts. The cart is equipped with combustion air for primary and secondary hot air system. "The disposal of the body is completed within 12 hours including cooling time as against 48 hours required in the normal wood-based cremation," Singh said. Use of less wood can also reduce the carbon footprint by half, said the professor, adding it requires less cooling time in the absence of refractory heat storage. "It has stainless steel insulation on both sides of the cart for no heat loss and less wood consumption. It also has a tray beneath for easy removal of ashes." Singh said that he has adopted tech-traditional model for cremation as it also uses wood. "That has been done keeping in view our beliefs and traditions of cremating on wood pyre." Keeping in view the present pandemic situation "if this system can be adopted, may provide respectable cremation to the near and dear ones of those who cannot afford the financial burden of arranging wood", said Harjinder Singh Cheema, MD, Cheema Boilers Ltd, who has made the prototype.Cheema said that the portable device can be taken to any place with the permission of the concerned authorities. "This will also help people to avoid a space crunch in crematoriums as is the case in present context." --IANS rak/ash

India now has its own cow dung paint. Among the country’s several innovative inventions, this unique paint certainly takes the cake. According to the Press Information Bureau, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and MSME, launched the new paint. The paint has been developed by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission at his residence.   What is it? The ‘Khadi Prakritik Paint’ is a first-of-its-kind product which is being touted as eco-friendly and non-toxic, with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. With actual cow dung as its main ingredient, the paint is said to be cost-effective and also odourless. It has also been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Khadi Prakritik Paint will be available in two forms- distemper and plastic emulsion.   What Are The Properties Of This Paint? Since the foundation of the paint is cow dung itself, there is no doubting the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal ability. Not to mention that it has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards which rules out the possibility of non-availability, bad odour, and harm.    The paint has two forms, namely, distemper and plastic emulsion. The former is a decorative paint in nature and needs a binder to be used effectively while the latter is water-based and gives a smooth matte finish after application.   Both the cases seem satisfactory based upon their constituents and functions. Also, the price has been set at Rs. 120 per litre and Rs. 225 per litre for distemper and emulsion respectively.   Furthermore, the paint has no hard metals which cause toxicity and thereby affect the environment hazardously. Lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium, etc, are the hard metals mentioned above.   Speaking at the launch event, Gadkari said “the step is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of increasing farmers’ income”, and that it is “part of an effort to improve the rural economy to such an extent that reverse migration begins from the cities to rural areas”.   According to PIB, the paints have been tested at three national laboratories: National Test House, Mumbai; Shri Ram Institute for Industrial Research, New Delhi and National Test House, Ghaziabad.   “The paint has successfully passed various test parameters such as application of paint, thinning properties, drying time, and finish, among others. It dries in less than four hours and has a smooth and uniform finish. The paint can be applied to the interior as well as exterior walls. Both distemper and emulsion paints are available in the white base colour, and it can be developed in any colour by suitably mixing colourants,” the PIB statement said.

Exasperating for many, intense heat and humidity leads to dehydration and salt-loss (Sodium and Potassium) causing a series of health concerns. People with underlying cardiac issues also face a host of health problem during this season. Beyond the escalated heat levels, some of the other contributing factors that might impact heart health include not having a salt-restricted diet, increased alcohol intake, poor blood circulation, consumption of certain medications like sedatives or diuretics in combination with blood pressure medications, points out Dr Vivek Mahajan Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan & Mulund. For patients with high blood pressure, when temperature and humidity is extreme during the summer, it causes added blood flow to the skin; the heart is then required to beat at a faster rate. This may cause the blood to circulate double the time per minute, Dr Mahajan informs. "Intense heat and constant sweating lowers the fluid content in the body, resulting in dehydration causing a strain on the Heart. This along with BP medications may result in a drastic fall in blood pressure. The low BP and fast Heart rate are big risk factors for those who are predisposed to or have a history of cardiac issues." Patients with the risk of heart-failure should consume up to 1.25 litres of water per day and limit salt intake. Water and salt-loss caused by sweating and intake of medications may lead to dangerously low levels of sodium and potassium, he suggests. Low sodium in blood results in nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, drowsiness, fatigue, restlessness, irritability, muscle weakness, cramps and seizures, or coma in extreme cases. Low potassium levels due to less water consumption may lead to muscle aches, cramps, palpitations and disturbances in heart rhythm leading to death. So drinking optimum amount of water is crucial in summer. Elderly patients have less water content in the body, so the impact of water and salt-loss are all the more prominent in elderly patients with high BP and heart failure. The risks of heart attacks increase in these individuals during the summers and are hence the most vulnerable group in need of care. Dr Mahajan shares some summer-friendly tips for patients with cardiac issues: Avoid vigorous physical activity in high heat (not even in balconies & terraces) - exercise indoors Avoid consumption of Caffeine and alcohol Wear light-coloured, lightweight clothing (preferably Cotton) Stay in a cool environment with air-conditioning or fans Monitor your BP regularly Consult your doctor if your BP is high or low Depending on symptoms Sodium & Potassium in blood should be checked regularly Medication dosages may need reductions in elderly patients with history of heart failure and BP Patients with history of Heart failure consuming very low water and salt, may increase water intake (by 250-500ml/day) and salt intake should be tweaked after seeking your doctors' advice (Puja Gupta can be contacted at [email protected])

London- Many plant-based products, especially legumes such as chickpeas, beans, soybeans, contain FODMAP compounds that are poorly digestible and cause unpleasant intestinal symptoms, but now researchers have succeeded in breaking down FODMAPs with enzymes and producing new, stomach-friendly plant-based food products. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrate molecules that are poorly absorbed in the human small intestine. These non-absorbed compounds move along to the large intestine, where intestinal microbes feed on them. This results in the production of gases that causes symptoms especially for those suffering from intestinal disorders, but also for many others. Many foods containing FODMAPs are in themselves healthy and good sources of fibre, nutrients and vegetable proteins. However, those suffering from symptoms will often avoid these foods and miss out on their health benefits. In the study, published in the journal Trends in Food Science & Technology, the research team focused on two key FODMAP compounds: galactan and fructan. Galactan is abundant in, for example, legumes, while fructan is found in many cereals, among other things. "We investigated whether these compounds can be removed from food by breaking them down with enzymes. We utilised both commercial enzymes and ones produced at VTT in the project. We used them to test the removal of FODMAPs from faba bean and pea protein concentrates as well as from rye, graham and wheat flour", said study researcher Antti Nyyssola from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The solution proved to work: there were only small amounts of FODMAPs remaining in the raw materials after enzymatic treatment. "The method is similar to that used to make Hyla milk, in which lactose is broken down in advance. Similarly, enzymatic treatment can be used to remove FODMAPs from food," Nyyssola added. The research team also tested whether enzymes work in connection with the preparation of food products. This would allow the food industry to eliminate harmful FODMAP compounds in their own processes. The projects focused on testing plant-based spoonable products, meat analogues and bakery products to investigate different types of plant-based foods suitable for the FODMAP diet. "The study showed that enzymes also work under a variety of conditions and in different food processes. This is interesting new information especially for legumes, as there are currently no similar legume-based foods suitable for the FODMAP diet on the market," he noted. --IANS