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Show CampusNews Page 2 Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011 A PANEL OF PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS discussed the social, econominc and environmental issues surrounding the bottled water industy. Students for Sustainability, paired with the College of Natural Resources, hosted the panel, which was followed by a screening of the documentary "Tapped." More than 60 students signed a document promising to use reusable bottles. SCOTT KRUMM photo Sustainability and CNR discuss bottled water industry BY MARISSA SHIELDS staff writer One third of all bottled water comes straight from the tap, a fact that sparked debate in a panel discussion Tuesday night, according to Kate Auman, marketing director for Students for Sustainability. Not only are retail water bottles filled by tap water, but regular tap water at home is 2,000 times cheaper than bottled brands, said Brooke Evans, vice president for Diversity. "Bottled water companies are really good at marketing," Auman said. "One third of it comes from a tap, and people don't realize that. Seventy percent of bottled water isn't regulated by the FDA." Most water in store-bought bottled water is coming not from springs or mountain lakes pictured on the labels, but is taken from the ground. Small communities are often hurt by big-corporate bottled water retail companies, said Mark Brunson, environment and society department head. Roslynn Brain, assistant professor of sustainable communities, said local water companies monitor water sources several times a day, sometimes several times an hour. "If bottled water doesn't cross state lines, they are not required to monitor the quality at all," Brain said. Even if the bottled water does cross state lines, the FDA treats it as a food, therefore the water still isn't monitored as closely, she said. A Cleveland water treatment facility tested its city's water against many of the bottled water companies' products and found its own water was better, Auman said. Logan City's water, however, is naturally nutritious and better than Cleveland's. "We got their water information and stacked it against Logan's, and ours turned out to be a lot more nutrient rich," she said. If you switch to a reusable water bottle, Brain said, make sure it doesn't contain any traces of BPA (Bisphenol A), which is a building block of polycarbonate plastics. When the plastic heats up, the BPA leaks into the water, which people then drink. "In a study conducted with 394 American adults, 95 percent of people tested positive for BPA in their urine samples," Brain said. She said BPA can cause obesity, miscarriages, sterility, polycystic ovarian system cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Because water bottle companies self-regulate, BPA often ends up in those bottles. "Bottled water companies care about making money. Since the FDA doesn't regulate bottled water, they can put whatever they want into their bottles," Auman said. She said some employees for bottled water companies felt worse after drinking the bottled water from their company after a prolonged period. Robert Schmidt, professor of environment and society, urged students not to trade out buying bottled water for buying bottled juices. The I waste from bottled drinks can't be stopped just from drinking less bottled water, h said. Auman said Students for Sustainability aims to get students more involved in reducing the amount of bottled water used. It handed out water bottle stickers that read "Tap That" to promote using tap water and refillable water bottles. "We want students to tap that," Auman said. "We want students to use our water-filling stations. We want students to show the university what we want." She said she wants to help eliminate the need for bottled water, and instead encourages the alternative — self-bottled tap water — which is 2,000 times cheaper, Evans said. If AP photo students start using water stations regularly, she hopes it will become a habit for them, she said. "Students need to realize how much power they have," Auman said. After watching the documentary "Tapped," which was presented after the panel discussion, Ellen Garr, a junior studying dietetics, said it was good for raising awareness about using tap water. "Tap water is free anyway," she said. Lexi Wright, a senior majoring in nutrition science, said, "We have to be more proactive. This affects people other than ourselves." - marissa.shields@aggiemail.usu.edu From Page 1 Student governments collect signatures around Utah to help fight budget cuts its 20,000-signature goal. Mikkelsen said the council will utilize campus clubs, organizations, and highvolume classes and events to pass around signature sheets. According to Frank, signatures are due Nov. 4, which will then be given to the Utah Student Association. ASUSU Executive Council also addressed its own legislative business Tuesday. During the council meeting Hannah Blackburn, director of ASUSU Public Relations, proposed an amendment to the Student Constitution that would change the ASUSU election schedule. "This is just a minor amendment," Blackburn said, "to know when to set elections so other colleges know not to set up events during (that) week." The amendment would schedule elections for February instead of March. Frank said she opposed the amendment because the election campaigns are held outside and it is cold in February, however the council passed the amendment. Blackburn will present further details of the amendment to the council next week. The second reading of Graduate Student Senate Bill 2012-01 also passed at Tuesday's meeting. The bill was read by Cami Jones, vice president of Graduate Studies. Last week Jones said the bill formally splits the former Graduate Senator position for the College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences into two separate senator positions. She said the split is a formality, which helps make the separation of the College of HASS in July 2010 official. - chris.w.lee@aggiemail.usu.edu From Page 1 Flu vaccines prevent virus without causing severe symptoms for patients had vaccines available after physician's offices had run out." Davis said this year's vaccine protects against the three most notable flu strains — H1N1, H3N2 and a variety of Type-B flu — all in one injection. "I think the flu shot is best for those for who the virus would do the most damage," said Erica Whittington, a sophomore majoring in biology. "I think it's most beneficial for infants and the elderly, because getting the flu could be detrimental to their health." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 18.4 percent of adults, who were immunized, received vaccinations at a supermarket or drugstore, according to the NPR report. Workplace vaccinations trailed close behind at 17.4 percent. Davis said this is not necessarily a bad thing. "As long as they are prepared to manage the potential side effects of the vaccine, I see no reason for them to not offer the shots," he said. He also said updated vaccines for the U.S. and Europe is decided months in advance. "It is based on global surveillance of what particular strains are most common in other areas, especially the Southern Hemisphere that season," he said. Although the flu shot is available year-round, Davis said, it is best to get the current year's vaccine just prior to the flu season, to be certain of getting the best matchup between protection and disease. - amber.murdoch@aggiemal.usu.edu From Page 1 Wellness Center addresses importance of controlling alcohol intake which Barfuss said simulates driving under the influence of alcohol. "It has a delayed setting on it so when you turn, it doesn't turn till about a second later, and then it'll turn," Barfuss said. "When you go to stop, it won't quite stop when you want it to. It just gives you the feeling of driving under the influence." Education is the main purpose of this activity, Barfuss said. Students must listen to a short presentation about the effects of drinking and driving before actually using the go-kart. If a friend has a "green bean problem," students should take action, Barfuss said. "Be a good bystander and do something about it," Barfuss said. "If you have a friend that is drinking too much, get them some help." Alcohol misuse on campus and among students was more frequent at the beginning this school year than others, said Whitney Milligan, director of Housing and If you have a friend that is drinking too much, get some help." — Ryan Barfuss, USU Wellness Center prevention specialist Residence Life. "It started out heavy," Milligan said. "There were quite a few more in the first couple of weeks than we usually experience." Barfuss, who facilitates alcohol counseling and education sessions, said, "This year has been one of the tougher years that I've been involved in just because it started out so fast." A 19-year-old male was taken to Logan Regional Hospital by ambulance when discovered intoxicated on the steps of the Living Learning Center Sept. 2. A 17-yearold girl was also rushed to the hospital from the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house Sept. 25, because she had alcohol poisoning. Several other less serious incidents have also been reported this year. The percentage of USU students who drink is lower than the national average, Barfuss said, and the proportion of binge drinkers is even lower. According to a survey taken last spring, 18 percent of USU students drink, six percent of them being binge drinkers. In contrast, the national average reflected an 80 percent proportion of college students who drink, 44 percent of them being binge drinkers. Still, having fewer drinkers doesn't eliminate alcohol problems on campus altogether, Barfuss said. The majority of students who come to his office for mandatory counseling are underage, he added. USU Police Captain Steve Milne said alcohol activity usually starts out high at the beginning of the school year among younger students. Many people are living away from home for the first time and their parents are not around, he said, so they engage in risky behavior. Milligan said younger students may not understand the impact alcohol has on them due to lack of experience. Employing the "zero-one-two-three rule" should help students drink responsibly, Barfuss said. Zero drinks if underage, pregnant, on medication or on campus, he said. One drink an hour, two in one sitting and no more than three a day. Always have a plan, Barfuss added. Avoid drinking games, and don't drink what you haven't seen opened or prepared, he said, and have a designated driver. "That keeps students who drink at low risk," he said. - la.stewart@aggiemail.usu.edu |