ERGONOMICS

• The ergonomically best combination of computer table and keyboard height of 73 and 68 cm respectively reduces musculo-skeletal and visual problems.
• An improved cotton boll picking bag with padded shoulder belts, padded lumber belt; in which knots were replaced by adjustable buttons; double-pronged cotton-boll plucker ( to protect fingers from injuries); cushioned shoes (to reduce feet fatigue) ; full sleeve shirt (to protect from scratches) reduce drudgery while cotton picking.
• The most functional height of working counters is 80 -85 cm (3 -5 inches below the elbow height of the worker), depth 50 - 60 cm. and width 150 - 172 cm. for performing cooking, dish-washing and preparation activities.
• Standing type kitchen should be preferred for wheelchair user females. A space at least 35 cm deep should be provided under all the work counters and the height of the work counter recommended as 70 cm from the ground level.
• Drudgery prone activities were identified in the food processing enterprises and tools were developed/modified to replace the strenuous manual task by mechanizing it or fitting the tool to the work. The tools designed were pulp extractor, vegetable multi-slicer, shell cracker and a shifting trolley.
• The use of 6 cm high rolling board for papad rolling reduces the spine deviation angle by 3.01 per cent resulting in improved work posture. It also helps in reducing grip fatigue (6-7%), pinch fatigue (79%) and back muscle fatigue (7.49%).

HOUSE AND ITS INTERIORS

• Broad leafed and succulent houseplants help in improving the quality of air (oxygen levels) during day time as well as with artificial light at night. They also help in reducing the noise levels inside the house.
• Upholstered sofa sets, lined cotton curtains and rugs/ carpets control up to 13 % of indoor noise pollution in comparison to room without furnishings.
• The CO2 concentration reduces from 275.33 ppm to 142.27 ppm by placing indoor plants in different areas of the house viz. living room, bedroom, kitchen and drawing room.
• Drying by embedding in silica gel is the best method for rose, carnation, helichrysum and fern for preparing various decorative articles.
• The most effective treatments for increasing vase-life of flowers such as :Roses and Gerbera - sugar + lemon + household bleach followed by sugar + household bleach
  Carnations - sugar + household bleach followed by lemon+ household bleach
  Gladiolus - sugar + household bleach followed by sugar + lemon + household bleach

GERIATRICS

• The various dimensions for comfortable working by elderly are suggested as: Table height = 72 cm, Seat height of easy chair = 33.5 cm , Seat width = 44.7 cm , Seat depth of easy chair = 52 cm , Maximum height of storage shelves = 151cm
• The effective Help Aids for Elderly are suggested as: A 67 cms high cushioned stool with lumbar support & foot rest to work on kitchen counter, a 46 cms high bathing stool with 20 cm diameter cut in center, 79 cms high rail support to get up from seated posture , 94 cms high climbing stick for climbing stairs, Hot water bottle holder.

CONSUMER EDUCATION

• Commercial and laboratory prepared (using mainly home available green ingredients) cleansers were compared in terms of their cleaning efficiency and cost effectiveness. The results indicated that the laboratory prepared cleansers were better than selected commercial cleansers in terms of selected quality parameters viz. pH range, surface tension, foam stability, BOD, emulsion stability and hard water test. These cleansers were found to be more efficient in removing stains from utensils and floor as compared to selected commercial cleansers. Laboratory prepared acidic cleanser was having pH 5.5 and basic cleanser had pH 9.5. Laboratory prepared acidic and basic floor cleansers lowered the surface tension up to 19.31 and 17.81 dyne cm^-1 which was more than the selected commercial floor cleansers. Laboratory prepared cleansers are more eco-friendly as their BOD value was minimum i.e. 157 mg L^-1 in acidic followed by basic cleansers 165.33 mg L^-1 .
• Powder detergents play major role in chemical contamination of water, making it hard, saline and unfit for washing and drinking purposes. Hence, it is suggested to stop using powder detergents and start using eco-friendly liquid detergents to save resources, minimize water pollution and to protect our health.
• Water was found to be the main adulterant in all the milk samples. SNF values in different milk samples were found to be significantly lower than the recommended value.

HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT

• Stainless steel and glass containers are recommended for storage of food in refrigerators to minimize bacterial and mold count.
• The use of double pot smokeless chulha saves fuel (30%) and time (40%).
• The appropriate use of time & labour saving devices and equipment increases 30 - 40 percent efficiency in the kitchen work.
• Long handled brooms and mops help in reduction of postural variation (47 - 68 %), are time saving (29%) and improve quality of work.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• The best option for dehydration of fenugreek is solar drying because of its efficiency, cost and acceptability.
• Intensive training of farm families for goal setting enable them to achieve the goals successfully.
• Alignment of homemakers with the change agents will activate their self realisation for learning management skills and help them in chanellizing their dormant potentials.

TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED/TESTED UNDER AICRP-FRM COMPONENT

• The Sapling Carry Basket of light weight plastic material, having adjustable straps helps in carrying the saplings of vegetables and flowers efficiently. It can be used with the hand operated sapling transplanter. It reduces the frequency of bending and picking saplings. There is reduction in energy expenditure (5.22%), physiological cost of work (12%) and work output increases by 15 percent.
• The Ring Cutter is used for plucking of vegetables especially cucubates family like Ghia, Tori and Tar. The blades are made of high carbon steel and aluminium is used for the ring part. The diameter of the ring cutter is 2 cms and length of blade is 2.5 inches. Ring cutter is highly efficient for sharp, smooth and safe vegetable harvesting. It is of low in cost, light in weight and has adjustable ring size. With the use of ring cutter there is reduction in energy expenditure (1.90%), physiological cost of work (20%) and grip fatigue (5.20%). The work output increases by 20 percent.
• Flower Harvesting Bag is developed by using water proof parachute material. It has adjustable straps to fit any user and zip at the bottom of the pocket to unload the flowers easily. With the use of flower harvesting bag there is reduction in energy expenditure (12.2%), physiological cost of work (16%), grip fatigue (22%) and work output increased by 15 percent.
• The Ergonomic Low Working Table is rectangular in shape and is made of stainless steel to prevent any rusting. It has got four rollers for easy movement. The table is very useful for the workers of small scale food processing units. For fine work the table is kept at 15 inches height and if the work requires some force, then the height can be lowered to 5 inches.It reduces drudgery and musculoskeletal disorders of the workers.

• A bag for vegetable harvesting with adjustable belts around neck and waist; use of net for ventilation, front pocket to keep harvesting tool, zipper on both sides of the bag for easy unloading is suitable for harvesting vegetables like brinjal, chillies , okra and vine crops such as bottle gourd, ridge gourd and bitter gourd. It reduces the musculoskeletal pains of the workers during vegetable harvesting ( shoulder pain – 29.26 %), Lower back – 25 %, Wrist- 47.5 %). Reduction in energy expenditure was found to be 19.45 % and physiological cost of work (38.13 %). It is suitable for picking fruits also.