Page 231 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

Besides quality or low quality food, we also use different substances in our daily life. For
example, clothing materials, cosmetic goods, radio, mobile, utensils, cement, iron rod, etc.
The quality of these materials should also be determined. If we make use of low quality
cosmetic goods, utensils, cement, etc., they may affect us negatively. When low quality
cosmetic goods are used, they may affect our skin causing diseases. It also causes loss of
money and health.

Precautions to be taken while using harmful substances
Many people in Nepal are still below the poverty line. These people cannot afford for
their basic requirements. The problems of unemployment is one of the causes of poverty.
The poor people seek for such goods which they can afford though they are of low quality.
The producers and distributors also produce the goods as per the demand of the people.
This encourages the producers to produce low quality goods. But the use of low quality
goods have adverse effects on the health of the people.
In order to discourage the production and use of low quality goods, the government has
formulated Consumer Protection Act. If this law is strictly implemented, the producers
will be forced to produce and distribute quality goods. At the same time the consumers
can also maintain quality health. But to maintain quality health, the problems of
unemployment, poverty and illiteracy must be reduced. It can be reduced by creating new
employment opportunities, skill, oriented training, quality education, etc. The following
precautions should be taken to reduce the effects of harmful goods.
a. Raise awareness among the people through consumers’ health education.
b. The products should be taken to the market only after the test.

c. Frequent checking or supervision in the business stores/godown.
d. Provision of strict punishment to the producers who produce harmful goods.
e. The concerned authority should be informed about the selling or distribution of low
quality goods in the market.
f. People should be aware about the entry and distribution of low quality goods
especially at the time of natural disaster like earthquake, flood, landslide, etc.
g. The concerned authority should be given the responsibility to implement the policies
to control the production and distribution of harmful goods.

h. The local people should be made aware about the impacts of using adulterated food.
Activity: 2

Discuss in groups about the effects of junk food in your health.

Plans of healthy lifestyle

To live a healthy life is the right of every individual. In order to live healthy life, we
need healthy environment and healthy food. Healthy life refers to the life style with good
physical and mental health. When we are physically and mentally healthy, we can also
GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 231