Solar Disinfection of Drinking Water and Oral Rehydration Solutions
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Disinfection Guidelines for Household Application in Developing
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Foreword Oral Rehydration Therapy: The Revolution for Children Oral Rehydration Therapy: The Four Simple Technologies Global Rehydration Therapy: Global Diarrhoeal Diseases Control Programmes Oral Rehydration Therapy: Causes, Transmission, and Control of Childhood Diarrhoea Oral Rehydration Solutions: The Practical Issues Oral Rehydration Solutions: Domestic Formulations Oral Rehydration Solutions: Disinfection by Boiling Solar Energy: Fundamental Considerations Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth Solar Energy: World Distribution Solar Energy: A Competitor Solar Energy: Some Practical Hints Solar Disinfection Studies: Drinking Water Solar Disinfection Studies: Oral Rehydration Solutions Appendix: Source of Information on Diarrhoeal Diseases
Foreword
Within the framework of the child health revolution to which UNICEF is
strongly committed, and in the specific domain of oral rehydration as
one of its main supporting techniques, the securing of safe drinking
water stands as a foremost priority. Actions toward this end, however,
are more often than not impeded by a variety of technical and economic
problems.
Over the past few years, a team of Lebanese researchers, headed by
Professor Aftim Acra, Chairman of the Department of Environmental
Health at the American University of Beirut, worked intensively on the
problem of water disinfection, taking into account the environmental
conditions prevailing in this part of the world. Their studies led to
the discovery of a simple method for the attainment of this goal based
on exposing the water to sun rays for a given period of time. This
practically costless method has been proven to eliminate all
pathogenic organisms from the water, thus rendering it perfectly fit
for human consumption.
One remarkable thing about the method in question is that it should be
most suitable for adoption in the developing countries where fuel is
scarce and sunshine is bountifully available. The matter assumes an
evident value where the practical aspects of the oral rehydration
technique are involved. It is also in full harmony with UNICEF's
eagerness to promote <<affordable>> approaches aimed at
optimal results on the road to a better tomorrow for children. For
these reasons, the printing and distribution of the present book is
being sponsored by the UNICEF Regional Office for the Middle East and
North Africa.
This venture is also a step in the direction of the much-desired
technical co-operation among developing countries. Moreover, it is
certainly touching to see that Lebanon in this instance is at the
giving end and that, in spite of the grave internal disturbances it is
suffering from, this country is still able to offer valid
contributions to the welfare and progress of humanity.
Victor Soler-Sala
UNICEF Regional Director
for the Middle East
and North Africa
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