Background Information List
A Scientific View of Risk
An Introduction to Toxicology
Introduction to Probability
Principles of Environmental Site Assessment
Lesson List
"Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?": An ABC News Report by John Stossel
Close Encounters of the Environmental Kind
Exposure!
Lead and Mercury Ion Catalase Inhibition
Pollution or Prevention?
Skin Cancer Investigation: A Multi-Component Project
So, the Test Is Positive
The Crandon Mine Controversy
The Frog Experiment
The Risks of Everyday Living
Toxicants and California Blackworms
You Are What You Eat: Chemical Residues and Consumers
Background Descriptions |
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| A Scientific View of Risk |
This background document looks at some everyday risks and compares them with perceived risks of contracting cancer and other diseases through environmental pollution. It also discusses some of the reasons why the general public and risk professionals frequently have differing views on risk.
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An Introduction to Toxicology
The subject of toxicology can be quite complex and a basic understanding of its fundamental principles is important if citizens are to make learned decisions about the risks and choices inherent to environmental health issues.
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Introduction to Probability
Environmental health risks are often expressed in terms of probability. Thus, an understanding of the basic concepts of probability is critical when making sound choices regarding such issues. The aspects of probability most relevant to risk are discussed here.
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Principles of Environmental Site Assessment
Polls show that the public’s top environmental concern is toxic releases from active and abandoned hazardous waste sites. This background discusses some of the scientific factors considered in evaluating the environmental risks posed by these facilities.
Lesson Descriptions
"Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?": An ABC News Report by John Stossel
In this activity, participants watch the video "Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?" and discuss some of the issues that this news report raises. These issues might include the role of the media in amplifying public fears about environmental hazards, how New York City was guilty of "statistical murder" in removing all asbestos from their public schools, and whether the EPA was impartial in their assessment of the lead hazard in the Aspen, Colorado, case.
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Close Encounters of the Environmental Kind
This project is an investigation into the cause of death of a fictitious school janitor. Participants develop hypotheses based on information discovered by examining the labels of household chemicals and finally reach a conclusion based on the collection of all available evidence. This project emphasizes the interactions of chemicals, the role of chronic versus acute exposure to toxins, and the ability of our bodies to detoxify some chemicals.
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Exposure!
In this simulation, participants are "exposed" to various agents (confetti pieces) and then determine their exposure levels. A comparison between naturally occurring and synthetic pesticides is also made. This activity helps participants understand that chemicals may affect different people in different ways. Participants also realize that their perceptions of dangerous materials may not be realistic and that the news media may not provide all of the information needed to make healthy choices.
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Lead and Mercury Ion Catalase Inhibition
This laboratory investigation allows participants to observe the effect of temperature and pH on enzyme activity. The investigation also introduces an environmental factor—exposure to heavy metal ion—and the effect that this factor may have on enzyme activity.
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Pollution or Prevention?
In this lab, participants perform extractions on a sample to achieve a specified allowable concentration limit. They relate their results to the economics of cleaning up polluted sites.
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Skin Cancer Investigation: A Multi-Component Project
The objective of this investigation is to compare the perceived and actual risks of getting skin cancer, while looking at ways to minimize these risks. Participants may have very little grasp of the severity of the threat of skin cancer or be unaware of the increase in the incidence of melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer) since the early 1900’s. At the same time, they are vulnerable to advertising and media emphasis on the social value of the suntan. This project is intended to provide a means of integrating environmental health science principles into the earth, life, or health science curriculum in a way that is practical and meaningful for participants susceptible to peer pressure and misinformation surrounding suntans, sunburn, and tanning booths.
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So, the Test Is Positive
This is a probability-based exercise in which participants consider the implications of testing positive for a cancer when the test is less than 100% accurate.
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The Crandon Mine Controversy
The intent of this project is to examine the issue of whether or not mining should be allowed at a zinc-copper sulfide deposit near Crandon, WI and what the long-term effects of mining would be on both the environment and on area residents. Because the mine’s goal is to obtain copper and zinc, the nature of these metals will be examined in terms of their chemical and physical properties, their common uses by humans, and their importance in the physiology of the human body.
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The Frog Experiment
The Frog Experiment story gets participants thinking about cause-and-effect relationships. According to the story, a mad scientist experiments with a frog, cutting off its legs one by one and commanding the frog to jump, which the frog does until, legless, it can’t jump at all. The scientist then concludes that the lack of legs causes deafness in frogs, a nonsense correlation.
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The Risks of Everyday Living
In this activity, participants compare their perceptions of risk to the perceptions of scientists and risk professionals. After completing the exercises, participants will have a better understanding of the relative risks they face and how to make informed choices.
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Toxicants and California Blackworms
In this investigation, participants work in groups to determine the normal behavior of California blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus). They then determine how various concentrations of assigned toxicants affect the worms’ behavior. This investigation introduces testing of potential toxicants, an important component in environmental health science.
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You Are What You Eat: Chemical Residues and Consumers
The media frequently reports on harmful effects of pesticides, fertilizers, and other applied chemicals. Should we base our decisions on using these products solely on these reports? The purpose of this activity is to provide participants with a scenario in which they can examine issues, make judgments, and draw conclusions by performing their own experiments and making their own judgments. This is an essential role in environmental health science.