E-mail me at this address: panditji@cseindia.org

Dear Panditji,

I am a resident from a small village, Jamaalpur Maan in Bijnore district of UP. Your magazine is very popular in my territory. I want to know the harmful impact of plastic things on human health. Can old plastic brushes be harmful for teeth or gums of humans?

Pawan Kr. Bharti
Via mail

Dear Pawan,
Dentists throughout the world recommend changing toothbrushes after every three to four months. Not only can old toothbrushes be bad for your teeth and gums but they stop being effective. Old toothbrushes can harbour harmful bacteria that may cause infections such as Gingivitis. Germs left on toothbrush can cause recurring colds and sore throats. They thrive in dense toothbrushes, especially those with soft bristles. They also remain on toothbrush handles. Viruses can survive for several days on an opaque or tinted handle, while a clear handle kills them faster as it allows light to pass through. There are some natural toothbrushes too! Miswak, for example, is a natural toothbrush-cum-toothpaste. This multi-purpose stick cleans the mouth, whitens the teeth and sweetens the breath. So, using plastic for brushing your teeth is not the only way.

Dear Panditji,
We often see roads lighted by Sodium lamps .We also say that white light is more effective than incandescent bulbs. Then why do we not use florescent tubes in place of Sodium lamps to light roads?

Surinder Kumar Jindal & other child members
Via mail

Dear Surinder,
Fluorescent light bulbs do produce far more light over a longer period of time than incandescent bulbs for the same amount of power consumed. Sodium lamps, however, are even more efficient than fluorescent lamps. High pressure sodium lamps are roughly twice as effective as fluorescent lamps. They also spread light over a larger area and function better over a wider range of temperatures, making them more suitable for the outdoors. But then, why not use sodium lamps for everything? Sodium lamps only produce light in one wavelength, making it difficult to distinguish the color of anything it shines on. Most produce an orange light and people do not want everything in their house to appear orange! Therefore, sodium lamps are generally used to light roads and parking lots.

Dear Panditji,
I am a regular reader of Gobar Times, in fact, I read it more regularly than DTE. I have been thinking about an idea and would like to find out more about it. I would like to know if recycling urine is a viable proposition?

Shantanu Chakraborti
Via mail

Dear Shantanu
You will be surprised to find out that urine has been used historically and is still used today for many things including the hide tanning, bleaching, medicine, and body cleansing. One practical use for urine in medicine is mixing urine with mud. This paste is used by certain tribes in Central Africa to relieve the stinging of insect bites. Urine's alkaline characteristics help break down the grease. It is said that using urine along with soap leaves your hair and skin feeling softer. So, yes, urine can be used for many things but I think I'll stick to soap and water for my bath!