ce CastlegarNews July 7, 1990 HEALTH NEWS By SHERYL UBELACKER It was once talked about in hushed tones as the Big C, a mystery disease that could strike anyone at any time. But today, medical experts believe many types of cancer are caused’by what we eat, breathe and expose our bodies to. A study released this month by the Canadian Cancer Society predicts one in three Canadians will develop the disease. But it suggests that eating better, quitting tobacco and staying out of the sun could dramatically alter that trend. It’s a message that health officials have been drumming into the public consciousness for some time. But are Canadians changing their behavior? And is it having any effect? “The clearest answer to that is in relation to lung cancer,”’ says Dr. Geoffrey Howe, director of the Cancer Institute of Canada’s epidemiology unit. Although still the No. 1 cancer killer in men, the incidence of lung cancer in males is starting to decline. ‘Whether people are actually going to change their diet and maintain it long term, we just don't know.’ —Dr. Geoffrey Howe, Cancer Institute But the number of cases in women has tripled since 1970, making it the second leading cause of cancer death among females, after breast cancer. The rising rates can be pegged to the fact that more women have been smoking in the last 20 years. That’s about how long it takes for the onslaught of tar and other chemicals to turn lung tissue cancerous. “Clearly, the opposite effect is going to apply, too, so that when people cut back on cigarette smoking, it’s going to take 15 to 20 years before the effect shows up,’’ says Howe. “*We’re starting to see that effect in men,” who began giving up the weed earlier than women, he says. ‘In men, there isn’t a dramatic drop, but there is some evidence that suggests that for men the smoking campaigns are starting to have some effect."’ Byron Rogers of the federal health protection branch says the effects of anti-smoking policies can be per capita consumption dropped 29 per cent. The biggest single annual decline, 7.8 per cent, was in 1989, Rogers says. ‘“That was the first year of the (federal government's) comprehensive anti- tobacco program, which means a lot of things — banning the advertising, putting the warnings on packs, raising the taxes.”” The most recent national survey of tobacco use, conducted in 1986, found 28 per cent of adults were regular smokers, down from 43 per cent in 1966. But health concerns may not be the prime motivating factor for those butting out, Rogers seen in cigarette consumption. Between 1980 and 1989, Changes can reduce risk of cancer, study shows overall. The cancer society advises gutting fat consumption and eating more fruit, vegetables and whole-grain foods. Agriculture Canada surveys Over the last 20 years suggest Canadians are eating less fat and demand for fresh fruit and vegetables has risen. But the last national survey was four years ago. “*We really don’t know what Canadians are eating,’’ says Cheryl Moyer, head of public education for the cancer society. ‘‘People report they're eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and cutting back on fat. But then you think maybe people are eating more (high-fat) salad dressings.’’ **Whether people are actually going to change their diet and maintain it long term, we just don’t know,”’ agrees Howe. People may be eating more oat bran, for instance, because of anti-cancer claims about fibre. “‘Diets high in vegetables, fruits and whole* cereals may well protect you against colon cancer; Howe adds, speculating that it will be at least 10 years before dietary changes translate into reduced cancer rates. ‘*But we don’t know that it’s the fibre content that is doing it. So if people don’t change their diet other than scattering bran on their cereal, they may not be doing themselves any good." Skin cancer is also on the rise. The incidence of its deadliest form — malignant melanoma — stands second to lung cancer as the most rapidly increasing form of cancer. The upward swing in skin cancer cases has been linked to increased exposure to sunlight. People are advised to apply sun-screen lotions which block harmful ultraviolet rays. But while cosmetic companies have loaded store shelves with sun-block preparations, there’s no monitoring system to track whether people are actually using them, says Howe. “I think we have to be realistic and realize concern about cancer is not on the top of most people’s list,”” he says. “If one could change society and say a lack of tan is beautiful and persuade people that wonderful meals consist of fruits and vegetables and less fat, that would be great. Cancer society recommends healthy ying dations to. reduce the risk of believes. Taxes have made smoking more exp bans in public areas have made it more difficult; and reports of the dangers of second-hand smoke have made the habit less socially acceptable. “*It’s very hard to partition out of that what may be influencing people.’’ When it comes to diet, the relationship with canicer is not so clear. However, evidence is beginning to suggest that eating certain foods and avoiding others may reduce the risk of a number of cancers, especially colorectal (of the large intestine), the second most common type developii ng some kinds of cancer: Reduce total fat in your diet. Eat more fibre-rich foods. Have several daily servings of vegetables and Maintain a healthy weight. Limit alcohol intake. Minimize consumption of smoked, nitrite- cured and salted foods. * Don’t smoke. * Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight Selkirk College if Now Tourism is going places. Get going with... Careers Training Place Your Classified Adin Castlegar News AND TURN THOSE UNWANTED ITEMS INTO CASH for the 8-month p TRAVEL AGENT RECREATION & RESORT OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS PROFESSIONAL COOKING LEVEL 1 A partner in Tourism Education with the Pacific Rim Insvute of Tounsm 2001 Silver King Road, Neison, B.C. VL 1C8 (604) 352-6601 in: Wayne Stolz Dianna Kootnik Caroline soukoroft ADVERTISING 2 FAK _ OFFICE 365-5210 PAINTING & DECORATING 2649 FOURTH CASTLEGAR 8 © AM. F Ha mc nnd SALES LTD. Coes vie ary all Collect: 364. G inoue eats? _ DEN _REMNIS BEDIN- Specioliar Res. 367-7187 Experts question level of substance in beer By PHILIP JALSEVAC KITCHENER, Ont. — In trying to deal with a new phenomenon, Ottawa recently took a more cautious ap- proach in setting a tolérable limit for cancer-causing NDMA in drinking water. But the average level of NDMA (nitroso dimethylamine) in North American beer is almost seven to 10 times higher than that. And while the federal government contends there is no cause for concern, the experts are raising more questions than answers about the chemical in the suds. The findings about NDMA are con- tained in a little-noticed 1988 study of almost 200 Canadian and U.S. bran- ds, commissioned by the Brewers Association of Canada. The 46 brands of Canadian beer produced an average reading of 95 parts per trillion (ppt), while the 148 American brands had generally lower levels, averaging 67 ppt. Some of the unidentified brands were below the laboratory’s detection limit of 50 ppt while at the highest end of the range, some produced readings of 580 ppt. By comparison, Ottawa now says NDMA should not exceed the detec- tion limit of 10 ppt in drinking water. That recommendation was con- veyed by Bette Meek, a federal gover- nment toxicologist, who testified at an Environmental Appeal Board hearing in May in Waterloo, Ont. Meek said the detection of NDMA in drinking water at Elmira, north of Kitchener-Waterloo, is the only known case in North America, and scientists are scrambling for answers. Ottawa's reassessment was partly based on-a-study by Dr. William Lijinsky, an expert on nitrosamines at the Washington-area Frederick Can- cer Research Facility. At the hearing, which dealt with NDMA emissions some believe stem from operations at Uniroyal Chemical Ltd., Lijinksy said NDMA and other nitrosamines ‘‘are the most potent and broadly-acting cancer-causing agents that we know.”” Laboratory tests have found the compound produces cancer in animals and is believed to have the same effect on humans. Meek later declined comment on the implications of her testimony to beer drinkers, saying her expertise is only in the field of drinking water. But many Canadian and American scientists agree the best course is to reduce the NDMA to zero. Dr. N.P. Sen of the Bureau of Chemical Safety in the Department of Health and Welfare in Ottawa is an expert on the family of nitrosamines. While unwilling to give details, Sen said NDMA is “‘a nasty’’ and added: “No quantity can be called safe.”” Still, Ottawa’s official line is don’t worry, enjoy your beer. John Salminen, a senior official in the health department's food directorate, said NDMA levels were drastically reduced in Canadian and U.S. beer about 10 years ago. NDMA forms during the brewing process when nitrogen oxides from direct gas-heat firing react with amines in the malt during kilning. Levels were reduced when the in- dustry switched to sulphur. INSURANCE “Never Have a Home HOUSE Without It! ( § i SAVINGS INSURANCE AGENCIES For All Your insurance Needs! 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Tho two sides wore back a¢ he its thi CotNews photo by Claudette Sondeck: rd day. bab sany eapbctntindaee —laptecerr ange leg toe dency ered egg ers resume talks By CLAUDETTE SANDECKI Staff Writer Cominco Ltd. and the United Steelworkers of America went back to the bargaining table Tuesday after the.union began striking Monday, USWA Local 480 chief negotiator Ron Schmidt said today. Presidents of the five Steelworker locals, Schmidt and company representatives met for talks Tuesday morning and again last night, a session which ended at | a.m. today. More talks were scheduled later this morning. Schmidt said an agreement may be possible. “They (Cominco) really want an agreement badly,’ he said. ‘‘And we're prepared to bargain although our members are having a hell of a good time out there (on the picket lines) with this good weather.”’ However, Schmidt cautioned there have been no the th. made Tuesday to its second offer are too small to be satisfactory to the union. “But there’s more pressure on the company than there is on us. Our people are out there, completely in support of the union, enjoying the sunshine."’ Cominco spokesman Carol Vanelli said two informal meetings took place Tuesday but she declined to say what was discussed. Vanelli told the Castlegar News she could not say whether the company views the new talks as positive or not. the union is to ignore a B.C. Supreme Court injunction Cominco obtained late Mon- day that limits the number of picketers at each plant gate to thrte and prohibits the picketers from trying to stop non-union employees who try to cross picket lines, Sch- midt said. The injunction does not effect the company’s Kim- berley where there are about 41 unionized em- ployees, Vanelli said. A group of non-union employees has been inside the Trail it since the strike began because the picketers will not all to leave. But Schmidt said the union is not concerned about the trapped staff members. “*We're not worried about them — they’re the com- pany’s problem,”’ he said. Schmidt said the union- was going to discuss the in- junction with the company Tuesday night. But before the talks took place a number of non-union workers “broke through the picket line’’ and entered the plant, he said. Vanelli said today non-union staff members and firefighters who are part of Local 480 but have a letter of agreement with the union allowing them to cross picket lines are inside. However, she said she is not aware of any other staff who have entered the plant. The union plans to prevent all non-union employees from entering or leaving the plant to ensure union con- struction and production jobs are not taken over by nap- union staff, Schmidt said. “We're not going to allow them to scab our operation,’ he said. The zinc processing portion of the plant is being modernized to get ready for the ore that will be coming down from Cominco’s Red Dog mine in Alaska and the plant must be ready for the new ore by August, Schmidt explained. The injunction directs the RCMP to enforce the ter- ms of the order and gather evidence “‘related to any con- tempt’’ of the court order, Vanelli said Tuesday. Schmidt said the police have done nothing but gather evidence since they began enforcing the injunction. The union is still denying access to the plant for non- union employees and there were 65 picketers at the main gate and 13 at the smelter gate this morning, Vanelli said. She added she did not know what action the RCMP plan to take with the picketers. please see COMINCO page A2 Late Sept. hearings eyed Celgar review panel promises accessibility By CasNews Staff Public hearings on the Celgar Pulp Co. expansion proposal will be held at the end of September at the earliest, the executive secretary of the federal- provincial review panel said. The three-member panel, which was appointed two weeks ago by the federal and provincial Environment Ministries, must give 30-days’ notice before the hearings are held and must provide at least 45 days for area residents to view Celgar’s revised en- vironmental impact reports before notice of the hearings is given, Alan Ferguson said Tuesday. During the 45 days, the panel members will also read the reports and they must ‘‘feel comfortable’ that the reports are ready to present at the hearings, Ferguson told the Castlegar News. As well, the panel members may Nurses willing to go back to table By CasNews Staff Community care nurses are willing to return to the bargaining table with the provincial government when a firm date and time for talks are set, B.C. Nurses Union communications officer Aaron Bushkowsky said today. Mediator Vince Ready invited both sides back to the table last week. But Central Kootenay nurses will continue their rotating strike pickets and information pickets until they are directed to change strategy by the union head office in Vancouver, Castlegar union steward Dorothy Salisbury said Tuesday. ask Celgar for extra information at any time during their review of the reports, possibly lengthening the 45- day review period, until they are satisfied with the reports, he said. Celgar officials expect the reports to be completed by July 15. Celgar industrial relations manager Ron Belton, who has just returned from vacation, said Tuesday he was unaware of Ferguson's visit to the area and could not comment on Ferguson’s prediction when the hearings will be held. Mill manager Jim Browne was in Vancouver and could not be reached for comment. Before the panel was appointed, Browne said Celgar officials expected the hearings to begin in early Septem- ber. works with Lid.,a Ferguson, who C Kootenays this week to meet with various groups and the media. He said the panel members want to be as accessible to the public as possible, especially since they are all from the Lower Mainland. A toll-free telephone number will be set up this month where Ferguson can be reached and newsletters will go out periodically to keep people up to date on the review process. The panel is also considering — =) @ part- time office in Castlegar, he A toll-free telephone aiavel will also be set up from Washington state because the panel members are ‘‘con- scious of the interest’’ Washington government agencies and some public-interest groups in that state have in the Ceigar proposal, Ferguson said. The U.S. Environmental Protec- tion Agency, the Washington water quality organization and public int- erest groups will be invited to make submissions to the panel, he said. how the hearings will be conducted, Ferguson said. Details on hearing procedures will not be released until closer to Sep- tember, he said. The hearings will be structured but informal, with the panel members listening to submissions rather than having lawyers involved with the Proceedings, Ferguson said. Submissions can be made at any time, although the panel will advertise for submissions when the hearing notice is given, Ferguson said. However, he said the public should deal with him rather than contact panel members since part of his job is to serve as a liaison between the panel and the public. Panel members can comment on the review process but will not discuss submissions outside of the hearings, Ferguson said. The panel includes Jill Bodkin, a former B.C. deputy minister of con- sumer and corporate affairs who will chair the panel, University of B.C. ded Celgar abused."” clude procedural The panel will release its in about two weeks which firm im’ Vancouver, was in the As well, the six nurses in the Cen- tral Kootenay who work as long-term care assessors will remain off the job in defiance of an Industrial Relations Council ruling until they receive direc- tion from the union, Salisbury said. The union told all long-term care assessors, who were deemed an essen- tial service by the IRC, to join striking nurses across the province this week The nurses are also angry over a Statement last weekend by Finance Minister Mel Couvelier.who said the Provincial government is offering nurses a 20.9-per-cent pay increase, a will contain a general description of figure the nurses had not heard before, Bushkowsky said. But the minister later said the figure is nothing new and was a restatement of the offer the government has been making all along, Bushkowsky said. “We'd like him to come clean about this. Nurses are not going to stand for any double talk."’ The government's offer so far has been calculated by the union as equal to an 18.9-per-cent increase. The nur- ses have not stated their demands in the form of an increase, Bushkowky said. The community care nurses of the B.C. Nurses Union and the Union Postal issue undecided By CasNews Staff The new owner of Johnny's Grocery in Robson says he’s not sure if he wants to take on @ post office Colleen Frick, media and public af- fairs officer for Canada Post in Van- couver, said Morris has applied for a franchise and “‘it’s looking good” for for the and is ‘waiting to see’’ what Canada Post has to say before making «decision: — “It’s very, very far away from Castlegar ship of the store from Larry Koftinoff at the end of June. cond, ns wee uatte te give 2 more Canada Post announced in January that the Robson post office would be privatized. Later, postal officials told Robson residents the post office would be shut down in April if a fran- -chiséoperator—was- not found~and residents would get their mail at some form of unmanned post boxes Koftinoff, who originally said he was mot interested in a franchise, his mind and began ecology Thomas and Paul Thomas, a forest industry consultant. “‘relieved"’ going to get of Psychiatric Nurses have asked only for wage parity with acute-care hospital nurses, he noted. Mayor hopes for ‘constructive’ process By CasNews Staff Castlegar Mayor Audrey Moore says she hopes the public hearings the federal-provincial panel will hold in Castlegar on the pulp. mill proposal will be ‘‘used and not =I hope the process will be used in a reasonable and constructive way,’’ Moore said. Abuse of the process could in- “‘unnecessary wrangles, challenges six repetitive presentations — all of those things that any ordinary public hearing,’’ the mayor said. Moore said she has experience with what goes on at local public hearings since she has chaired a number of them. “If we abuse the process we can lose the right to use it,"’ she ad- Moore said she is pleased and the panel has been ap- The pointed. She said she hopes the of the appoin- tment and a visit this week from the panel's executive secretary, Alan Ferguson, straight down to business”’ on the review “ “lL would be more than pleased announcement review expansion’ delays, legal times a day, appen here at AUDREY MOORE .». pleased panel appointed would be area.”” “‘very good for the three-member review panel, which was appointed two weeks ago by the federal and provincial environment ministries, has been given ‘‘very comprehen- sive terms of reference,’’ the mayor said don’t think they (the ministries) missed very much,” “means they're Moore said. Nurses at various levels work under different wage scales so asking for a flat precentage increase would be dif- ficult to do, he explained. “But it (parity) is definitely more than 20 per cent.” Bushkowksy said he ‘would not be ‘surprised”’ if talks resumed next week after Ready finishes with another dispute he is arbitrating. But nurses will continue with job action, including the walkout by long- term-care accessors, until talks begin again, he said. The assessors have been told to go on strike because “‘we never con- sidered them essential and we don’t know why (the IRC) called them if they kept to the time frames and held public hearings in Septem: ber.”” Moore said people in the area are ‘‘very, very edgy and very, very uncertain’’ about the future because of the review process and the amount of time it’s taking. She said holding the public hearings no later than September “I don’t think too many stones were left unturned.”” The city’s Celgar advisory group, which is composed of people from various walks of life, will ‘‘go to work as soon as (Celgar’s) second reports are out” to prepare a presentation to the panel on behalf of the city, Moore said. Lumber industry returning to normal By CasNews Staff About 180 of the approximately 260 Westar Timber employees laid off during the Castlegar sawmill’s three- week shutdown last month were back on the job Monday, mill manager Roy Helmkay said. And some 60 workers in the planer department could be back to work next week if the sawmill stockpiles enough rough lumber to warrant restarting the planer, he said. The shutdown, which resulted from heavy spring rains that forced loggers out of the forests and caused a num- ber of local mills to shut down ‘or lay off some staff, cost Westar about $250,000-—in—sataries, teases, and other Helmkay estimated. But despite the toll the shutdown took on the company’s Castlegar operation, the three-week closure had little effect on the company’s lumber sales, said Rick Fortunaso, Westar’s please see LUMBER page A2