Case 6Exterminating the Enemies Food Irradiation

My experiments proved that the radiation of uranium compounds ... is an atomic property of the element of uranium. Its intensity is proportional to the quantity of uranium contained in the compound, and depends neither on conditions of chemical combination, nor on external circumstances, such as light or temperature.... The radiation of thorium has an intensity of the same order as that of uranium, and is, as in the case of uranium, an atomic property of the element.It was necessary at this point to find a new term to define this new property of matter manifested by the elements of uranium and thorium. I proposed the word radioactivity which has since become generally adopted; the radioactive elements have been called radio elements.-Marie Curie

Submitted by:Herwig, Dionne LaraAng, Cloei JoyMejia, Mark ChristianAlviar, Samantha Gine

1) Liza and Marie knew that they were already subjected into irradiation. Liza and Marie are microbes present in food which are now subjected to energy of ionizing radiation which caused them nausea and suffocation. This ionizing radiation breaks chemical bonds in Liza and Maries molecules that are vital for their growth and integrity as a result, Liza, Marie and their friends died.

3)

Type of RadiationPenetrating PowerIonizing PowerExample

AlphaLow penetration, biggest mass and charge, stopped by a few cm of air or thin sheet of paper.Very high ionizing power, the biggest mass and charge of the three radiation.

+

BetaModerate penetration, 'middle' values of charge and mass, most stopped by a few mm of metals like aluminum.Moderate ionizing power, with a smaller mass and charge than the alpha particle.

+ +

GammaVery highly penetrating, smallest mass and charge, most stopped by a thick layer of steel or concrete, but even a few cm of dense lead doesn't stop all of it.The lowest ionizing power of the three, gamma radiation carries no electric charge and has virtually no mass, so not much of a 'punch' when colliding with an atom.

+ + +

4)Around 50 countries, including the Philippines, have approved irradiated food products and 32 of these countries are using the technology to treat a variety of food and food ingredients for commercial purposes, according to the PNRI. In the Philippines, food irradiation is still in the pilot stage, but fruit irradiation for quarantine processing to export to the US is expected to take place in the near future. Other countries like US, China, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, France, Mexico and South Korea are major users of irradiation technology which they allow other foods to be irradiated, whereas other countries, such as Denmark, Germany and Luxembourg remain opposed.

5. Our group isnt in favor of food irradiation. Although benefits and advantages are stressed out, natural food is still the best to consume by people and animals. Our body should receive enough amounts of nutrients from food which is destroyed by food irradiation. Moreover, irradiated food can cause diseases, illnesses, cancer and death. Food irradiation is also a big disadvantage to farmers and vendors who plant and sell food which is not irradiated. Some irradiation power plants are highly dangerous because radioactive materials are left from the production and manufacturing of irradiated food.

6. Other Beneficial Uses of Radiationa. Medicine drugs that contain radioactive material are important in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases like cancer. They can be injected into the body, inhaled or taken orally as medicines or it can be used to enable imaging of internal organs and bones.b. In our homes most first aid kits in our homes contain items sterilized by radiation, including cotton wool, bandages, and burn dressing.c. Agriculture radioactive materials are used to improve quality of food crops, and control pests in fields. They are also used to measure soil moisture content, erosion rates, salinity and the efficiency of fertilizer uptakes in the soil.

7. Food irradiation is the process of exposing foodstuffs to a source of energy capable of stripping electrons from individual atoms in the targeted material (ionizing radiation). The most common source for irradiating food is radioactive rods culled from the core of a nuclear reactor. Another source for irradiating food can be generated electrically.This treatment is used to preserve food, reduce the risk of food borne illness, prevent the spread of invasive pests, delay or eliminate sprouting or ripening, increase yield, and improve re-hydration. It is permitted by over 50 countries, with 500,000 metric tons of foodstuffs annually processed worldwide.

8)Table I. Detailed list of respondentsNoStudents nameGenderAgeYear & Degree Program

1Clee Van Jeff AbadM16BS Psychology

2Whitney Faith Lantaca F17BS Psychology

3Jaymark LahoyM16BS Psychology

4Ruby-Anne JuanitoF18BS Psychology

5Jude Christian HerbanoM16BS Psychology

6Minerva GreganaF17BS Psychology

7Ghaira Joshlyn HussinF16BS Psychology

8Kristina Pauline FernandezF17BS Psychology

9Eva Mae ConsolacionF16BS Psychology

10Joie Dela CruzM17BS Psychology

11Christine Mae AuteaF17BS Psychology

12Aliagsar, BahjinM16BS Psychology

13Rubilyn BanuagF16BS Psychology

14Fatima Aliriza AguilF18BS Psychology

15Princess Mae AlcorizaF16BS Psychology

16Mariela CastilloF17BS Psychology

17Christine Dela LlanaF15BS Psychology

18Mark John EsguerM16BS Psychology

19Jhun Roy Garbo M17BS Psychology

20Junee Ann AlvarezF18BS Psychology

21Camille CaminsF17BS Psychology

22Ronald Dela TorreM17BS Psychology

23Nichol May FortunF17BS Psychology

24Josella AbayaF16BS Psychology

25Bryner AndadM16BS Psychology

26Marry Jane Bawa-anF18BS Psychology

27Aiko MejiaF21BS Psychology

28Al Mahmud IshmaelM17BS Psychology

29Aljib Abdulpatta M16BS Psychology

30Vanessa De LeonF17BS Psychology

Question 1: A. Are you aware of food irradiation?B. Give a brief description of food irradiation (key words only)Table II. Survey Summary 1.ResponseSample

FrequencyPercent (%)

Yes13.33

No2996.67

Total100%

Table 3. Common Descriptions of food irradiation.NoDescriptionSample

FrequencyPercent

1Food becomes radioactive1343.33%

2Exposed to radiation1240%

3New technology that innovates the food we have now310%

4Provides new insights about how we prepare food26.67

Total30100%

Question 2: Are you in favor of the use of irradiation in your food? Why or why not?Table IV. Survey summary 1.ResponseSample

FrequencyPercent (%)

Yes1653.33%

No1446.67%

Total30100%

Table V. Reasons for favoring/ not favoring food irradiation arranged according to frequency.Reasons for Favoring Food Irradiation(Frequency)Reasons for Not Favoring Food Irradiation(Frequency)

1. It prolongs the shelf life of foods1. It damages the food

2. Eradicates the microorganisms in food2. It has side effects

3.3. Nutrients are loss since it undergoes radiation

4.4. Radioactive materials might still remain in the food

9)The Survey we conducted was conducted to know if students are in favor in Food Irradiation. The survey was a little bit difficult because, majority do not know about Food Irradiation and how it works. Second, some respondents arent as serious and eager as we were, and we know we cant please everyone so what we did was adjustments. We explained the process of Food Irradiation and its good and bad effects.About 53.33% of the result answered yes, more than half of the students were in favor of the use of Food Irradiation. Their reason were partly the same, they said yes because it helps in prolonging the shelf life of foods. While others said no, because of its side effects.