Page 38 RAIN January'/February 1985 Irradiated Food-The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently proposed a rule that would allow food processors to use irradiation, in place of pesticides such as ethylene dibromide (EDB), to destroy insects and extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. The FDA's proposal would not require labeling of irradiated food products sold in grocery stores. Although the agency already permits irradiation of spices, the new rules would allow radiation of up to three times the current acceptable level (1 megarad) in spices. For more information, contact Clyde Takeguchi, Bureau of Foods (HFF-334), FDA, 200 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20204; 202/ 472-5690. Alternative Village-Ponderosa Village is a planned community emphasizing individual responsibility, self-reliance, cooperation, and increased security from possible economic and social deterioration. Current villagers participate in a way of life and a community that can be sustained over the long run. Villagers also shar~ knowledge and skills for the enhancement of self-reliance, cooperation, community and penional growth. Located four miles from Goldendale, Washingtop, Ponderosa Village has a community library, self-serve workshop equipped with tools, and is developing a school of self-reliant living. If you are interested in beginning a life at Ponderosa Village, contact Meg and Larry Letterman, Route 1, lot 17, Goldendale, WA 98620, or call 509/7733902. International Youth Year-In 1979, the United Nations declared 1985 to be International Youth Year. The main objective of International Youth Year is to increase awareness of the problems and aspira ions of young people. The program suggests an analysis of the conditions affecting youth in each nation, and that measures be adopted to bring about solutions to youth problems such as unemployment and underemployment, inadequate education, poor health services, crime and dru.g abuse, and the erosion of cultural and family values. Along with the evalu~tion of these problems the United Nations suggests the celebration of youth's contributions and potential. For more information, contact Information Officer, International Youth Year, DESI/DPI, Room S1061, United Nations, New York, NY 10017. Communication Costs-The Portland-based Center for Urban Education is sponsoring a workshop titled The Costs of Communication: Telephone Deregulation and the Non-Profit Organization, to be held on January 16, 1985 in Portland, Oregon. The Program will present an overview of deregulation, measured service proposals, and the effect of these policies and proposals on non-profits. The workshop will end with a panel discussion on these and other related topics. Contact Workshops, Center for Urban Education, 0245 SW Bancroft, Portland, OR 97201, or call 503/221-0984. Nuclear Mishaps in 1983-There were 5,060 mishaps at nuclear power plants in 1983, 11 % more than in 1982, according to a study released by Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Project, a research organization founded by Ralph Nader. Of the total mishaps, 247 were considered particularly significant by the Nuclear Regul<~tory Commission (NRC), the report says. U.S. reactors performed dismally, once again, generating electricity only 56% of the time. The NRC said this was primarily due to "personnel goofs." Radiation exposure jumped 8% over 1982, and 1,324 more workers were exposed than in 1982. · Security threats continue to plague nuclear facilities. There were 63 security threats at reactors in 1983. The NRC issued a record number of fines (49), with Commonwealth Edison heading the list with 10. These conclusions were based upon hundreds of NRC ' documents, many of which were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Perhaps the worst news is the concerted drive by the NRC to withhold increasing amounts of safety information from public review. A court case is still pending to see whether or not Public Citizen's Litigation Group can gain access to the Institute on Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) documents. Public Citizen's 1984 Nuclear Power Safety Report is available from Critical Mass for $5 ($15 for industry). The 19~3 report is included for an extra dollar ($5 extra for industry). A.T. in Spanish-CODEL/VITA has recently published Proyectos Hid ricos de Pequena Escala Ambientalmente Seguros, a Spanish translation of the booklet Environmentally Sound SmallScale Water Projects by Gus Tillman. The book was translated by the Organization of American States and was printed in Peru by CEPIS, the regional office of the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization. Contact CODEL: Coordination in Development, 79 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016;212/685-2030. NCAT New Books Series-The National Center for Appropriate Technology has introduced a series of 13 books on appropriate technolqgy, published by the Department of Energy. The DOE A. T. Gra,nt projects have also·published four energy briefs regarding questions dealing with appropriate and alternative energy. Information on the titles and subjects of the books in the two series can be obtained from John Sesso, Deputy Executive Director, NCAT, PO Box 3838, Butte, MT 59702, or call 406/494-4572. Central American Hotline-For up-to-date informatima on developments in U.S. Central American Policy and events on the ground, call either one of these recorded messages: Coalition for a New Foreign and Military Policy, 202/483-3391, or Witness for Peace at 202/.332-9230. If you have a computer with a modem, you can "log into" Newsbase at 415/ 842-8767. Send bikes not bombs to Nicaragua!-The Bikes Not Bombs campaign began September 1984 in several U.S. cities. The goal is to send ·at least 100 bicycles with a supply of spare parts to Nicaraguan community and labor organizations, for transportation and for bicycle mechanic training programs. Officials of the Central Sandinista de Trabajadores (CST), the national labor federation, say that bikes are badly needed to transport mail, packages, supplies and people. If you want to help·you can make contributions to Bikes Not Bombs, organize a bikes not bombs campaign in your community, and contact local bicycle groups and peace organizations to help raise cash for bikes. Bikes Not Bombs is also seeking organization cosponsors and endorsements. Contact Michael Replogle, Bikes Not Bombs, c/o Washington Area Bicyclist's Association Government Affairs Committee, 1332 Eye Street NW, Room 441, Washington, DC 20005, 202/965-2786. Aspartame Warning-Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, is used in place of sugar in dry foods and soft drinks. Although all of its ingredients are found separately in natural foods, consumers of products containing aspartame reported dizziness, severe headaches, blurred vision, grand-mal seizures, depression and menstrual problems after use of those products. Despite complaints and pressure from the public and consumer groups, the Federal Food and Drug Administration has chosen to leave the sugar substitute . on the market. The Community Nutrition Institute has set up an Aspartame Resource Center to gather information and research the effects of Aspartame. For more information, contact Community Nutrition Institute, 2001 S Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.
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