CHC through the Tamil Nadu Project Unit and more recently from Bangalore has made  environmental and occupational health a key area. CHC believes that its main contribution / area of interest in this field is working with communities, capacity building and developing structures for increased accountability of the health system to pollution and toxic affected communities. While the main focus of the work will be with people developing their capacities, developing systems for lay epidemiological work and raising their awareness of their right to health as well as their entitlements. Another aspect of the work of CHC is to mainstream these issues within the People's Health Movement. As part of this CHC hosted a workshop during the 2nd People's Health Assembly and is presently the coordinator of the Environment and Occupational health sub-group of the JSA.

The work of the Tamil Nadu Project Unit

Health was still a mystified issue. Between 7th and 9th of May – Dr. Rakhal was part of the faculty of a three-day workshop on occupational health, which was attended by 25 members from eight unions. These Unions included the unorganized workers unions, construction workers unions, fishing workers unions, stone crusher worker unions etc. The presentations by the union workers highlighted the dismal situation as far as the health rights of the workers are concerned. The different unions presented numerous instances of denial of their basic right to health. On the 9th of October Rakhal was invited to attend a meeting of the Executive committee of the HLL factory workers union (thermometer) at Kodaikanal. On the 10th of October Rakhal made a presentation to the High Court Committee on behalf of the workers.

In the work with the communities in SIPCOT Cuddalore, Rakhal was involved in training of community based volunteers into health work on the 12th of October. It was decided to follow this work on a regular surveillance of children and their health problems in the area. On 9th September Rakhal also had a meeting with Madhu and Shweta and Ms. Renu Khanna from Gujarat regarding the provision of inputs into the Gujarat Public Health Act – with special reference to environment and occupational health and the EIA parts of the Act. There was an ongoing struggle for proper resettlement and the visit was to assess their health needs.

On 12th and 13th of November Rakhal and Madhu went to Mumbai to document the struggle of a group of former workers in an asbestos factory. In February between 16th and 19th Rakhal was part of the faculty of an international conference on environment and health. This conference was co-hosted by CHC.

Dr. Rakhal Gaitonde was invited to present a paper on the health impacts of the present chemical based agriculture. He gave a talk titled, “Chemical Poisoning in Food, Public Health Perspectives.” Most interestingly it saw the presentation of numerous experiences and case studies of groups and communities towards the establishment of sustainable agricultural practices.

Workshop on environmental health –Interventions to reduce air pollution related health risks: (January 23rd and 24th 2008)

Community Health Cell was one of the co-sponsors of the workshop and ably supported in organising the event, to identify partners and interested community groups and individuals who could engage in the ongoing activities following the workshop. At least 120 participants attended the two-day event that included students, doctors, scientists, people’s groups, occupational groups, researchers and policy makers. The issue of air pollution was an important urban health problem and CHC contributed by setting the tone for addressing the issue in the framework of equity and community participation.

CHC’s networking with occupational groups like Quarry workers and Garment workers was possible and CHC is committed to work with these groups on health issues.

CHC has committed to work with the steering committee to tackle air pollution related health risks by supporting and strengthening capacities in community health.

The Bucket Brigade Conference – New Delhi: (February 16th to 19th 2008)

The meeting was aimed to share experiences of different communities suffering from impacts of pollution and also to understand the basics of community environment and health monitoring. Individual groups shared issues faced due to chemical industries, oil refineries, mining, and pesticides in agriculture. Some of the main points highlighted were:

1.  Communities suffered a lot of environmental damage to their water sources, air they    breathe and agricultural land.
2.  Their livelihoods were greatly affected.
3.  There was no recourse left for the communities, as Governments were only   antagonistic.
4.  As much as unabated pollution continued, efforts to understand health impact were  poor.

Some of the groups who have been doing community environment monitoring using the Bucket Brigade presented their studies and learning’s-

1. Environment monitoring was a useful tool for community mobilization.
2.  It helped people understand the nature of chemicals and their toxicity.
3. Sometimes, they have been able to campaign for change using the data, as in the   case of South Africa and USA.

Rakhal presented an extensive introduction to concepts of health, ill-health, determinants of health, what toxins do to the body and what body does to the toxins and factors that determine responses of the body to toxins. Sukanya presented on concepts of health monitoring and limitations of science and causal theory. Rakhal also spoke about creating a system of health monitoring.

Largely, the participants were keen to look at health issues in their own settings for the purpose of understanding health impact and also for gathering information to strengthen their struggle.

It was agreed that a CHESS workshop with the Tamil Nadu groups would help giving focused training on monitoring and follow up for long-term studies with communities.