250 Alaskan Science Conference 



temperature in the typical permafrost cellar is probably around 

 16 to 20 F. Blocks of ice which are cut in the fall may be stored 

 in the cellar for use as the winter water supply and foods may 

 be preserved in the cellar during both winter and summer. 



Although the permafrost provides excellent temperature con- 

 ditions for food storage, the attendant unsatisfactory drainage 

 creates a hazard to such food storage. Lack of provision of 

 means for preventing surface water from entering the cellar 

 and careless placement of food in the cellar may cause it to 

 become contaminated with sewage or other wastes. 



Means for Environmental Health Control in the 

 Permafrost Regions 



Adequate water supplies with treatment facilities and distri- 

 bution mains can be provided and are provided in some com- 

 munities in the permafrost regions. Practically unlimited use 

 of heat, use of utilidors (heated conduits) and large expendi- 

 tures of money have provided for establishment and operation 

 of such systems. Sewerage systems placed in utilidors have func- 

 tioned satisfactorily in permafrost. Garbage and refuse may be 

 burned for ultimate disposal. 



Importation of materials and construction of excellent hous- 

 ing is an accomplished fact in the Arctic. Daily air shipments 

 of fresh vegetables from continental United States to the perma- 

 frost regions of Alaska prove that an adequate supply of safe 

 fresh greens and other foods can be made available to Arctic 

 dwellers. 



But most of these accomplishments have been made at great 

 expense and in spite of the physical conditions imposed by 

 permafrost rather than in harmony and accordance with Arctic 

 environment. Extra heat, concrete, reinforcing steel and effort 

 have been literally poured in to attain these accomplishments. 



However, a deeper insight into the strange ways of nature in 

 the Arctic and development of ways and means for maintaining 

 a healthy environment through utilization of more economical 

 materials and resources at hand is mandatory. We must adapt 

 our temperate climate practice to the region in which it is to 



