me nema nm ee eee ti me em A = t A ee 6 ee NR Ee ACE I tard 4 ean dna ‘alter agent Un IRE NEE enn RENEE TO ee aatind © Alcan’ came! P= however, and: Burden gives credit. for the lab’s concept to ‘the’ archi- tect’s wife. She was the one, says Burden, who suggested the build- ing should be a triangle. "And it works," he says with smile. . With this bit of history out of the way, Burden begins the tour. One side of the triangle is lined with chemical analysis modules. This is where quality assurance testing of materials and environmental moni- toring is done. The feature that pleases Burden the most, is the fact that each medule. is designed for a specific analytical task or series of tasks and each has its’ own environment. That means that this wing of the lab is efficient and easily managed, each lab technician has control over the temperature of his particu- lar module, and, perhaps more important, it’s safe. "If we drop a bottle or something," Burden explains, "we can walk out, close the door, and let the fume system handle it. There is no interconnection between the modules." , Heading clockwise around the building, the first room on the next side of the triangle is the confer- ence room. Compared to the old laboratory, this is true luxury. There are plenty of windows so the room offers a bright, open atmosphere and it’s quiet. This is a room in- which important matters can be given consideration and decisions reached without inter- ruption. oo ‘This is only a small portion of one wing, however. Most of this part of the building contains spec- "')” trographics room. This is where customer satisfaction is guaranteed. The prime purpose of spectrogra- phics is to ensure that each aluminum alloy meets customers specification before it is cast or "frozen". While the molten alloy waits in - holding furnaces in the smelter, cooled samples are sent to the spectrographics module using a pneumatic tube system for what is called a "rush analysis". These samples are prepared and tested using special equipment like X-ray _ machines and computers in less than 20 minutes and the plant is given the results. If the alloy is correct, it’s cast into ingots. If it’s not, corrections can be made and another sample sent to the lab for ‘testing. “The last side of Burden’s triangle is the samples preparation room. In this area, samples of non-metal products used in the process of transforming alumina (aluminum oxide) into aluminum metals are ground, crushed and screened so they can be analyzed by techni- cians in another part of the labora- ‘tory. ' Having toured the preparations area, Burden’s story is nearly complete. But not quite, Burden is just as proud of what's in the centre of his triangle as he is with - the technical facilities that sur- round it. Here are the offices, washrooms and a lunchroom that's second to none. The well- appointed lunchroom offers several household appliances and scating for about 20 staff members. __, - Even with these appointments, Terrace Review — Wednesday, August 8, 1990 B15 rf This is no "subterranean rathole". This is one of the finest laboratories in northern B.C. Above is the main entrance to Alcan’s new $4 million facility and some of its most distinctive f mechanical and electrical work, What isn’t apparent wh eatures are apparent: attractive design, plenty of windows and exposed en viewed from the exterior is the layout of the building. This isn’t a rectangle or a square. For Aican’s requirements a triangle was much more efficient. though, it’s the overhead natural lighting that Burden likes best. Although it’s at the centre of the building, this is no "subterranean rathole". As an example, says face of the tables exacily on the Spring equinox. "It’s a real high moral booster,” says Burden. "Par- ticularly in this part of the country where it rains all the time." And there’s an added bonus, he says — they no longer have to rely on the Burden, sunlight passes through the windows and strikes the sur- Williams’ words, this is where Alcan will use their "technological know-how" to produce advanced and more competitive aluminum products. ground hog to predict winter’s end. Next week, Alcan’s ingot prod- ucts division engineering superin- tendent, John Williams, takes us a tour of Alcan’s premiere project, ihe DC4 casting plant. In "Did know...— A public service feature by the Skeena Health Unit NORTHWEST ce te benakenmmn naan Onn FOR HEALTH Foreign travel may require immunizations. Immunizations are recommended for personal protection or may be a requirement for entry into a specific country. Travel to most parts of North America, continental Europe and the Caribbean require fewer precautions than travel to tropical areas such as South America, Africa and Asia. Many factors play a role in disease trans- mission. Some examples include poor sanitary and living condi- tions, contaminated food and drink and the time of year. Malaria and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are more common during the rainy season. Vaccinations do not exist for all diseases. Listed below are some of the travel immunizations available today. 1. Tetanus-Diptheria (Td) — Everyone, whether travelling or not, should keep his/her Td up to date. This means a booster every 10 years. Can you remember the last one you had? Was it Grade 9? 2. Polio — A booster dose is recommended. for travel to an endemic area or tropical or developing countries. 3. Typhoid — is recommended for travel to areas where poor sanitation exists. Typhoid is a febrile illness that. is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Typhoid requires a ‘‘series’?, which means you need two shots four or more weeks apart. Eating well-cooked foods and staying away from fresh fruit and vegetables also helps prevent typhoid fever. Boil your water before you drink it, or drink bottled liquids. Avoid ice cubes in your drinks. Freezing water does not kill the typhoid - pathogen... 4. Cholera — an immunization for cholera is required by some countries before entry is. permitted, Again, drinking safe water ‘and eating cooked foods decrease your risk. 5. Hepatitis A — is a viral inflammatory disease of the liver. It is common in developing countries. Transmission occurs through contaminated food and water. Immune globulin may be recom- mended for protection against Hepatitis A. 6. Yellow Fever — is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Yellow Fever vaccine is required for entry into certain countries in Africa and South America. This vaccine is not available in Terrace. Health clinics in Prince George and Vancouver supply Yellow Fever vaccine. ; 7, Meningococcal Vaccine — is recommended for travel to epidemic areas such as Kenya, and'protects you against men-— ingococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes sur- rounding the spinal cord and brain. The Skeena Health Unit does not stock this vaccine. A traveller may purchase it through a local pharmacy or obtain it at one of the travel clinics in Van- -couver, oc: wha a . 2 a . . _— 8. Malaria — is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause head- aches, fever, chills and sweats. Protection against Malaria may require taking oral medication prior to departure, once a week during your stay and for a period after. The Health Unit will in- form you of which medication you should take according to where you are travelling. You can get a prescription from your family doctor. Additional mosquito precautions are: @ stay indoors after sunset @ wear light colored clothing that protects your arms and legs e do not wear perfumes @ wear insect repellents with greater than 20 percent DEET, such as “‘Deepwoods Off’’ and ‘‘Muskol’’. When you decide to travel, give the health unit a call about one or two months prior to departure. This gives us plenty of time to give you necessary advice and schedule your immuniza- tions. Be as specific as possible about your irip. Think about how long you will stay abroad, your accommodations, urban or rural travel, tourist or non-tourist routes, where you will be eating and the status of your existing immunizations. Don’t leave it until the last minute! Have a safe and happy trip. - What are your questions and concerns? Write us at: “Did You Know That...” c/o Skeena Health Unit 3412 Kalum Street Terrace, B.C. V8G 4T2 c rw, 7 ac ei _ B.C. Tel wishes to advise that Lakelse will convert fo an electronic office in the early hours on the morning of August 11. | B.C. Tel thanks you for your | patience during our delay. |