Programs to provide rural Pakistani households with so-called improved cookstoves have had a muted response due to a lack of awareness among target communities — particularly among the women who do the cooking, a study has found.

Sustainable Brands Conference 2012

The finding comes as separate research suggests that some improved cookstove models actually cause more pollution than traditional mud stoves.

A NEW study suggested that ‘’thirdhand smoke’’- the invisible remains of cigarette smoke that deposits on carpeting, clothing, furniture and other surfaces- may be even more of a health hazard than previously thought.

The study has extended the known health risks of tobacco among people who do not smoke but encounter the smoke exhaled by smokers or released by smoldering cigarette butts.

Yael Dubowski and colleagues noted that thirdhand smoke is a newly recognized contributor to the health risks of tobacco and indoor air pollution.

A NEW study suggested that ‘’thirdhand smoke’’- the invisible remains of cigarette smoke that deposits on carpeting, clothing, furniture and other surfaces- may be even more of a health hazard than previously thought.

The study has extended the known health risks of tobacco among people who do not smoke but encounter the smoke exhaled by smokers or released by smoldering cigarette butts.

Yael Dubowski and colleagues noted that thirdhand smoke is a newly recognized contributor to the health risks of tobacco and indoor air pollution.

The overall environmental performance is improving in Sri Lanka and it has been ranked as a moderate performer, according to the 2012 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) released during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week.