HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.368 1996-1998 May 15, 1997 ~ l ~ ~ 'I /7~y~
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Tn Members of the Hawaii County Council:
Re: Food irradiation facility
As the health editor of a new internationally-syndicated telemarketing show, with a
potential to reach over 150 million households worldwide, I have been asked to bring
to our viewers health-oriented products from Hawaii. Since many of the products
chosen will be foods, I feel that it is important to inform you that we would exclude
irradiated foods from any and all of our selections for the following reasons:
1) Food irradiation exposes food to radiation two million times stronger than
radiation used in x-rays, creating new chemicals in the foods called
radiolytic products, some of which cause cancer. _
2) Irradiation destroys vitamins and nutrients in food essential to human health.
3) Nuclear radiation facilities pose serious hazards to humans and the
environment, both because safety requires a perfection in design,
management, maintenance and repair, that leaves no room for
expectable error and because this is geologically an unstable
environment.
Many recent polls and consumer buying patterns are indicating that the public is
demanding foods of a healthier nature, such as those grown without pesticides and
chemical fertilizers. We wilt be searching for foods of the highest quality to meet these
demands. Irradiated foods are diminished in quality rather than enhanced. In some of
my own market research, I have encountered many who wouldn't even consider
buying irradiated foods. As the public becomes more and more informed, irradiated
foods will be rejected on a grand scale. To construct a potentially dangerous facility
for a process that may not be so popular after all would tie a very bad decision.
In addition, for Hawaii County, which is seriously being considered as a destination
for several health-related business ventures, to become known worldwide as the
irradiation center of the Pacific would be a tragedy. I urge you to protect the food, the
people and the reputation of this beautiful island, and reject this most untimely,
unsound proposal-a very oad idea indeed!
Sincerely,
Carol Merrill-Burgess
P.O. Box 517
Hawi, Hawaii 96719
(808) 889-0237
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P'Ile No. GP
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Ref. Date MAY 1 5 1997