Informed Sources

INFORMED SOURCES

AEROSOL BAN PROPOSED

Speaking of the ozone, a federal panel reported last week that aerosol sprays using flourocarbons as propellants should be banned by January, 1978. Flourocarbons, widely known by their DuPont tradename, Freon, are "a legitimate cause for concern" because of the damage they cause to the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

Noting the National Academy of Sciences is currently conducting research with a report scheduled to be completed within a year, the federal panel suggested act ion be deferred until the Academy reports its findings. But if it confirms existing studies, freon must go.

In the meantime, the aerosol industry is conducting its own research to the tune of $5 million (which is most likely tacked on to the cost to consumers of aerosol cans). The industry is also preparing a campaign to refute the recent bad publicity for spray cans. In fact, Newsweek reports the federal study panel released its report two weeks early because the industry was about to embark on a counter-campaign to lessen the impact of the proposed ban and confirmed dangers.

In Ann Arbor, U-M Professor Ralph J. Cicerone, one of the first researchers to document the effects of Freon on the atmosphere, called the report a step in the right direction. However, he is concerned about how much longer action can be put off and commended the recent legislation in Oregon to totally ban aerosols by 1977.

Last week, the SUN reported a number of deaths had occurred from the propellant gases in aerosol spray cans. Now, the latest death involves a 14-year old Ann Arbor woman who inhaled fumes from a deodorant spray.

Sheila Murphy, a Slauson student was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Joseph, Hospital on Sunday. She had tried to use the spray to get high along with some friends, and immediately passed out.

"I hope they'll ban spray deodorants," said her mother, "not only because of what Freon does to the atmosphere but for the sake of children's safety as well."

NOW THAT'S A BITE

If you're into health, a recent report by an Iowa professor may be of interest. Doctor Stephen Wei reports that acidic foods can rot your teeth as much as sugary treats do. Large amounts of acidic fruits like oranges, lemons or grapefruits can damage the enamel coating of the teeth, leaving eroded teeth and cavities in their wake. Even an industrial atmosphere loaded with acidic fumes can add up to rotten teeth (ZNS).

And teeth are the subject of another report, this one by the American Dental Association. The ADA Journal published a two page article detailing the inside of Patty Hearst's mouth. A cavity chart, X-rays and predictions of potential tooth problems go along with requests to dentists to notify the nearest FBI office if she wanders into their offices.

FILM-MAKERS TO SUE FEDS

In another story on the underground, four film-makers who had been subpoenaed by the Los Angeles grand jury investigating the Weather Underground say they are preparing to file a suit against the government.

The four - Emile De Antonio, Haskell Wexler, Jeff Wexler and Mary Lampson - had originally been ordered to appear before a grand jury and to bring with them any film footage they possess containing interviews with Weather Underground members. The subpoenas for the four were suddenly withdrawn last week by the government without explanation.

At a press conference in Los Angeles, the four announced that they are, in fact, putting together a documentary film on the Weather Underground. They said the film is currently being edited and charged that government agents have been following them and harassing them in efforts to keep the film from being completed and shown to the public. They say they will file suit against the government later this week because of the alleged harassment and to enjoin the government from further surveillance activities.

De Antonio is perhaps best known for three documentary films he produced, including Milhouse, a critical film about Richard Nixon and Rush to Judgment, a documentary questioning the Warren Commission Report. Wexler filmed the movie Medium Cool, and recently journeyed to North Vietnam with Jane Fonda to make the movie Introduction to the Enemy. (ZNS)

FILES AND SECRET DOCUMENTS

Secrecy isn't the exclusive reserve of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Army admitted last week it had failed to destroy over 9,000 files on civilians in its intelligence files more than four years after the documents were to have been purged. The files had been neatly microfilmed and filed away for future reference. The Army is again claiming the records will be purged.

CHILEANS NEWEST REFUGEES

A twinge of conscience over the $8 million admitted expenditure by the U.S. to undercut the Allende government in Chile may bring a number of political exiles into the country. The State Department announced it will soon begin to admit hundreds of leftist Chileans who were imprisoned or exiled after Chile's socialist government was overthrown by the 1973 military coup.

20 MILES OF GRASS

In another Latin American country, Colombian soldiers have discovered a 20-mile long field of marijuana which is believed to be the world's largest pot plantation. The soldiers report arresting about 40 local peasants, who say they were paid $1 a day to grow cannabis plants. The soldiers say they may firebomb the plantation from helicopters, as they claim it would take an entire army battalion more than a month to clear out the marijuana crop. (ZNS)

WEED ALMOST LEGAL IN MAINE

Maine Governor James Longley has signed into law a bill taking possession of small quantities of marijuana out of the criminal code and making it a civil offense with a maximum fine of $200.

The bill, signed on June 18 and going into effect in March, 1976, covers possession of quantities up to one and one half ounces of grass. Anyone caught holding larger quantities, however, will still be subject to criminal penalties, including imprisonment.

DEFENSE BUDGET A GAS

Gas is also the subject of a House debate on a new Pentagon request for $25 billion to develop two new nerve gas weapons. The Pentagon claims it needs the gas to "modernize" its chemical warfare stocks.

FOOD STAMP BENEFITS GOING UP

While the Pentagon is shattering nerves, the Agriculture department may be ending a few stomach rumbles. A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the current food stamp plan does not insure that all recipients will receive an adequate diet. It also said the benefits were too low even by the department's own standards to provide an economy diet. The department has 120 days to come up with a more adequate plan for the 19.6 million people now receiving food stamps.

But considering the mechanics of the food industry, a nutritional diet is far from guaranteed. Liberation News Service reports that "Wheaties" have only 2 cents worth of wheat in a box. And Total doesn't do any better, but the spray of chemical nutrients makes it possible to add 22 cents cost on each box. In the potato business, a 20 pound bag of potatoes runs about 10 cents a pound. Pringles, with its dehydrated potatoes molded with sugar and chemical are 1500 percent more than real potatoes, or $1.89 a pound.