School of Public Health of PGI Celebrates World Environment Day

By Tricitynews

Chandigarh 05^th June:- School of Public Health celebrated the word Environment Day at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The event was attended by over 30 doctor, nurses and other medical and para-medical staff. The programme included street play, tree plantation, songs, slogan writing and expert lecture by Dr.Ravindra Khaiwal, Additional Professor of Environment Health, School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh. 

Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal highlighted that there are several toxic chemicals are used to make a plastic bag, which can leach out readily such as bisphenol-A and phthalate. He further added that there is increasing evidence that these chemicals disrupt Human Endocrine and hormone system leading to adverse health impacts. Hence, he said that we should avoid eating and packing warm food in plastic bags or containers. Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal mentions that we need to encourage  people who use cotton bags, avoid gift packing and recycle their plastic items. 

Dr. Maninder Kaur, Senior Demonstrator of Environment Health, School of Public Health, PGIMER mentioned that plastic item takes several years to degrade leading to pollution of water bodies, soil, and air. The event was supported by Tanbir Singh, Neha Aggarwal, Vivek Malik and Sachin Dhawan.

Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal also delivered a keynote lecture on ‘Beat the plastic pollution’ during the public function in Panchkula being organized by Department of Environment and Climate Change, Haryana. The chief guest of the event was Goel, Minister for Environment, and Climate Change, Haryana. 

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5^th June to create awareness about environmental issues and India is the global host country for 2018. The theme of this year is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,’ which aim to combat single-use plastic pollution.