News August 31, 1986 IRRADIATED your acdivertising dollars do better in... BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOOD CAUSES HUGE UPROAR By DAPHNE BRAMHAM Canadian Press VANCOUVER — To irradiate means to subject something to radiation. The phrase “irradiated food” describes a process, still in the experimental phase in Canada, which extends the shelf life of food by slowing the decaying process and preventing spoilage from organisms. The same phrase was also used to describe the food grown around Chernobyl that was contaminated by radiation leaking from a nuclear plant. It’s a phrase that has been heard of often of late in the Vancouver area. Varidus groups have staged protests outside a plant in suburban Richmond being built by QIX Facilities Corp. to test an X-ray machine to irradiate food and determine safe levels before marketing the equipment. The imprecise definition has contributed to the jon and fear g the of whether Canada should follow countries like the Netherlands and allow the sale of irradiated food. The United States has agreed to use it for trichnosis control in pork and salmonella control in poultry, although there are no processing plants anywhere in North America. So far, Canada has only approved irradiation for specific things. Potatoes and onions ean be irradiated to stop sprouting, while wheat, wheat flour and spices can be processed to kill insects. SUPPORTS PROCESS Frank Fraser is the | products vice-presid for Atomie Energy of Canada Ltd., one of the leading pro ponents of the He illustrates the debate simply: “My dad used to take manure and put it around the sides of the basement because it gave off heat and that was radiation. But if you fell in it, that was contamination.” Says John Vanderstoep, a food sciences professor at the University of British Columbia: “I don't know what all the fuss and ballyhoo is about. But I think part of the reason for the concern is that people confusing are it with radioactive fallout.” Erich Vogt, a nuclear physicist at the University of British Columbia, says he is certain irradiated food is not and some arguments sonst it are not rational. Ada Brown, of the C s A of Canada, B.C. branch, while agreeing some emotion is involved, is not convinced. “We just feel in B.C. that there is no one here ly support right to know whether food has been subject to the process.” Yet special labelling, she says, has drawn some opposition by the food 5 PROTEST A recent at the hy d plant was organized by the Canadian Coalition to Stop Food Irradiation. It claims 3,000 members. Spokesman Michael Weiner insists “literally thousands” of studies show food treated with radiation causes tumors. genetic mutations and infertility in laboratory animals. Many experts discount that, arguing the most-often- quoted. Montreal study that found infants were more likely to have genetic mutations after eating irradiated food used faulty research methods. Fraser of the AECL is almost evangelical in his drive to get irradiation accepted. He said in an interview from Chalk River, Ont., he plans to do all he can to get the message out that irradiation can save people from the likes of salmonella without risking the possible carcinogenic effects of various Fraser says there is no hiding behind the fact radiation is used in the process. But he says 50 per cent of all medical instruments used in the world are already sterilized by that method. Opponents also quote American studies that contend irradiation destroys various vitamins and minerals in the food. But Vanderstoep says the loss of food value is no greater than other cooking or preserving methods. The process has been known and experimented with for over 30 years. Food is bombarded with energy in the form of electronically produced X-rays or gamma rays — byproducts of decaying nuclear compounds. The radiation breaks down the genetic material — DNA and RNA — and interferes with the normal degradative process. It also stuns or kills micro-organisms and insects that cause food spoilage. “We heat food and we get changes in the nature of the food,” says Vanderstoep. “But when we eat it, we don't get cooked. It’s the same with irradiaiton — just because the food is irradiated, we don't become irradiated.” Stress a problem TORONTO (CP) — Stress is the leading factor pre venting women on welfare and other forms of govern- ment assistance from im- proving their lot, a study says. Opportunity for Advance ment, an organization that helps people find work, asked 47 Toronto-area women what kinds of problems prevented them from improving their living conditions. Forty-four per cent said stress and stress-related ill- nesses such as headaches and back pain kept them from doing such things as pursuing work. September Repair Specials our Mufflers © NO LABOUR CHARGE on installation of © AIM HEADLIGHTS ..........$9.00 © FREE OIL FILTER with lube and oil change (on most cars) © FREE INSTALLATION with the purchase of 4 of our gas shocks. (All Services Applies to Most Cors) ccount our MOROSO, MARKIN & BLAIN CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANTS 241 Columbia Ave. Ca: v stlega: Ph. 365-7287 AVIS Vehicles Available to ICBC Claimants LOCATED AT Castleger Airport Terminal end cra WE LIVE UP TO OUR NAME! Brian L. Brown CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANT 270 Columbia Ave. Castlegar Ph. 365-2151 SOLIGO, KOIDE & JOHN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 615 Columbia Ave. (Upstairs) | Henry John, B.Sc. C.A. Resident Partner All Brond Nomes Serviced All Parts Stocked * Industrial Laundry WE ALSO SERVICE: + KENMORE © INGUS © HOTPOWT © ETC. CASTLEGAR PLUMBING & HEATING LTD. Columbia Avemse 365-2288 v008 TIRED OF LAUNDROMATS? f cm end other fine cers. * Prompt local pick-up * We meet insurance companies allowances tor replacement “Just b we're out F. PIRSH RUMFORD Ceramic Tile Masonn Certitied Fire Satety Inspections 735 Columbia Ave. 41 Carpet Cleaning CLEAN SCENE © ROTARY-JET STEAM EXTRACTION (TRUCK POWERED) © UPHOLSTERY CLEANING © WATER & FIRE DAMAGE CLEAN-UP SPECIALISTS Bus. 368-6333 Res. 365-6018 Ph. 368-5911 KINNAIRD TRANSFER Concrete Gravel ing Sand Fill, Gravel or Sand Topsoil Call 365-7124 | Dentistry DR. C. COX Family Dentistry including Orthodontics Metaline Falls 509-446-4501 CREATINE DOAPERIE/ THE STORE THAT MAS IT ALL UN DRAPERY! Gwen Kissock in-home drapery estimotes And do your wash at home For your other epplionces ore also avoiloble 100 to 1 is no excuse for that kind of language!”’ eS 733 Contra s Moving & Storage WILLIAMS MOVING & STORAGE 2337-6th Ave., Castlegar Invite you to call them tor a tree moving | estimate Ph. 365-3328 Collect Nursery CHANG’S | Nursery & Florists Ltd. A complete nursery stock! TIAL & LANDSCAPING SERVICE 365-7312 Government Certified Box 525, Nelson, B.C. RRAP PROGRAM FREE ESTIMATES 15 Years Certified Rooting PHONE LORNE 352-2917 no charge..no Commercial or Residentio! Buy or Sell by Auction 399-4793 Whether your name starts with A, M, XorZ You'll find Business Directory advertising pays! 365-5210 CONCRETE LTD. PIPELINE PITT RD. CALL PLANT 693-2430 CASTLEGAR 365-2430 ROOSTER REDI- MIX CONCRETE Slocen Valley Call 355-2570 LORNE VE VERIGIN 354-3855 Opto ist J.T. (TIM) ALLEN B.Sc.O.D. OPTOMETRIST No. 2- 615 Columbia. Cestiegor M L. LecRoy 8.S.0.D. OPTOMETRIST 1012 - 4th St Castlegor PHONE ' 365-3361 Tves.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 noon * American Standard * Valley Fibrebath * Jacuzzi * Crane * Duro Pumps & Softeners © PVC Pipe Fittings * Septic Tonks * Electrical Supplies 365- 2317 - 6th Ave. S PLUMBING Copier Systems CALL DAVE PLANT 1-800-642-1234 ALL TYPES OF COMMERCIAL PRINTING ° Letterheads * Envelopes * Brochures * Raffle Tickets etc., etc OFFSET & LETTERPRESS. WEB PRESS FACILITIES Restaurants THE COLANDER SPAGHETTI HOUSE Specializing in Italian Cuisine Dinner 5 Lunch 11:30 to 2 week days. For Reservations Phone 364-1816 1475 Cedar Avenue Troil, B.C. Peppercorn ®) TERRA NOVA MOTOR INN The Kootenays Leading Convention Hotel 3 halls to serve your needs trom 25 to 400 people 4 kitchens catering to the largest variety of menus 19 years catering experience in home. in hall. or wherever you desire LET THE PROFESSIONALS Give YOU Ime BES! » Phone 368-3355 Ask tor Gary, Brien, + Diane or Mery Terre Nove Motor inn 1001 Rossiand Ave.., Trail PEPPERCORN RESERVATIONS Phone 364-2222 Rubber Stamps RUBBER STAMPS Made to Order CASTLEGAR NEWS —~ 97 Cobembie Ave. Phone 365-7266 c Ser COLEMAN COUNTRY BOY SERVICE Sump & Septic Tank Pumping PHONE 365-5013 3400 - 4th Avenve Cas! i. Siding & Roofing CASTLEGAR SIDING & ROOFING Vinyl ¢ Aluminum Cedar Siding * Soffits Facia * Roofing Metal Shingles ¢ Tar New or Re-Roots CALL FRED 365-2522, MARCEL 365-2537 UPHOLSTERY We offer quality, professional workmanship at low, low prices! CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATES! Kosiancic’s Farm Crescent Valley Call 359-7231 or 359-7953 Tree Service Wait see tasa resuits. up to 10 Ibs. in 2 weeks. without drugs. shots. crash diets. or expensive foods to buy. Your first individual consultation with your own personal coun setor is free. Call now.