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, concentrates on determining the level of harmful gases, heavy metals, aerosols, and dusts, other than
pesticides, in the workplace.