This unit concentrates on the following activities:
a) Safe Use of Pesticides
This agricultural extension project is aimed mainly at farmers in order to educate them in ways of reducing the excessive amounts of pesticides they currently use and apply those they do use, safely. The program, geared to the educational level of farmers, focuses on determination of handling, disposal of wastes, re-entry times and preharvest application times, and first-aid measures to be taken after accidental overexposures. Pesticide merchants and agricultural scientists will be included in the program. Funded by a number of NGOs, this program is being carried out in collaboration with the grassroots organization, trade unions and others.
b) Noise and Health
Although the Occupied Territories are not heavily industrialized, there are a number of industries which have equipment that are noisy. Among these are the older textile and stone processing factories. In addition to causing hearing loss, excessive noise causes additional health problems, both physiological and psychological. The CEOHS is fully equipped to carry out studies dealing with noise and loss of hearing and employs an audiology center and an ENT (a physician specialist in ear, nose and throat problems) to evaluate hearing losses.
c) Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
This unit, not yet active, will concentrate on determining the level of harmful gases, aerosols, and dusts, other than pesticides, in the workplace.