NEWS RELEASE

Environmental Health Department to undertake baseline data collection to improve lighting conditions

in Primary and Secondary schools

Thursday July 26, 2007, St. George’s; The Environmental Health Department (EHD) of the Ministry of Health are taking steps to improve lighting conditions at primary and secondary schools throughout Grenada.

The program which is expected to commence in a matter of weeks as explained by the Chief Environmental Health Officer Benedict Peters, has positive impacts on children’s ability to learn.

He said where poor lighting conditions exist, the strain on the eye will be much greater and more energy will be needed in such cases. But in cases where the lighting conditions are adequate, less strain will be placed on the eye and less energy will be needed and consumed, therefore that energy can be channeled to do other things.

According to Mr. Peters the benefits for the nation’s children are tremendous and he firmly believes that the Ministry of Education will give his department their fullest support.

The acting (CEHO) on Wednesday afternoon, said plans are underway to bring all of the district environmental health officers together for a working session on the operation and use of the Fact Candle/Lux dual scale light meters, after which they will be asked to visit the various schools on the island to ascertain the level of lighting in the different class rooms.

Although no specific time was given for the commencement of the data collection process Mr. Peters said it is important to determine the level of lighting at the schools and other places of work.

The department recently received state-of-the-art equipment, from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which according to Mr. Peters will be utilized to enhance the level and quality of work his officers are expected to carryout.

(PAHO) made available to the Ministry of Health and the Environment, a number of food temperature test-mark-1 infrared thermometer kits, food sampling processing kits, head covers, coats, fact candle/lux dual scale light meters, flat surface stem dial thermometers, among other instruments used by the (EHD).

Instruments and equipment were distributed amongst the Environmental Health districts including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and the Produce Chemist Laboratory who from time to time assists the EHD in carrying out certain food related investigation.

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Keville Frederick (Communications/PR)