1 MPA in Environmental Science and Policy ENV U6220: Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Summer Semester 2005 Instructors: Dr. Patrick Louchouarn Associate professor Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science Earth Institute (212) 854-0479 [email protected] Office hours: By appointment Dr. Fanny Ennever Adjunct Lecturer Dept. of Environmental Health Sciences Mailman School of Public Health Phone: (917) 309-9124 [email protected] Office Hours: By appointment Teaching Assistants: Federico Barrai: [email protected] Nicole Predki: [email protected] Office Address: 1305 International Affairs Building Office Hours: By appointment Course Description: Environmental chemistry is the study of the processes that affect the fate and transport of specific compounds that act as contaminants on local- to global-scale levels. In general, the compounds under consideration tend to be anthropogenic contaminants (those compounds, both organic and inorganic, released into the environments from human activities). The behavior of contaminants is influenced by physical, chemical, and biological processes naturally occurring within various ecosystems. This course describes these processes and the extent to which they affect different classes of contaminants. However, environmental chemistry does not limit itself to the study of processes that affect synthetic or human-produced compounds (their reaction rate, speciation, degradation, sorption, etc.). In the context of this course, we consider the term “environmental chemistry” in a broader geochemical context. Indeed, we recognize that in some areas of the world, the speed and scale of environmental perturbations seem to be of such a magnitude that they have led to regional and global geochemical disruptions with subsequent releases of naturally occurring surface/subsurface materials that can generate a certain amount of toxic burden within an ecosystem. The environmental chemistry section of the course is divided into three subsections of the global environment: Water, Soils and Sediment, and Atmosphere. Within each subsection, we will first describe the system in terms of physical processes and chemical constituents. Using case studies of selected contaminants potentially found in each system, we will then explore the fate (i.e. reactions) and transport modes that may affect the potential availability of these contaminants (or how environmental quality criteria are adversely affected) and lead to toxicological effects at the ecosystem level. Environmental toxicology is the study of the effects of different contaminants on the health of all organisms within an ecosystem, with a particular focus on human health. While toxicologists study a wide variety of toxicants, from naturally occurring poisons (venoms) to synthetic chemicals, this2 course will emphasize anthropogenic toxicants, in the context of how (and whether) exposure to such toxicants should be controlled: risk assessment. Toxicological and epidemiological principles are used primarily to provide (uncertain) quantitative estimates of the harm associated with a given level of exposure: dose-response. Using a dose-response relationship necessitates quantifying exposure, an uncertain endeavor that relies on understanding human physiology and behavior. The quantitative estimates of harm from anthropogenic activity that risk assessment gives are just the starting point for the challenge of risk management: “What do we do now?” The resulting decisions are influenced by both economic factors (e.g., cost-benefit analysis) and psychological factors (e.g., risk perception). In both the environmental chemistry and environmental toxicology sections, we have decided to use an “environmental principles” approach rather than describe all the possible alterations for each particular set of anthropogenic contaminants. Using the knowledge gained from this course, each student will be able to estimate the environmental and toxicological fates and effects of groups of compounds given its chemical nature and the system within which the compound is released. Most importantly, this course uses an approach of "authentic inquiry" in its pedagogical approach, namely that students are exposed to authentic methods of scientific inquiry rather than a suite of algorithmic solutions to specific environmental issues. The main goal of this course is to foster an understanding of how environmental scientists think and solve environmental issues and most importantly to develop an expertise in assessing the validity of scientific research and its conclusions. Course Outline: The approach of the course will follow a general sequence of themes that will 1) define general chemistry concepts, 2) introduce the notion of chemical reactions and transport modes in different environments, and 3) define chemical mobility (and thus potential bioavailability) and reactivity based on the nature of chemicals and the media in which they occur (i.e. water, solids, air). The Environmental toxicology segment will follow the basic outline of risk assessment: hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response evaluation, and risk characterization, followed by risk management: how to use the numbers from risk assessment. Daily Activities: Lecture sessions will include discussion and explanation of reading and/or web material, and how to apply critical thinking to environmental geochemistry and toxicology questions. The schedule below is a preliminary outline of the semester. Reading assignments will be provided and should be completed before the stated lecture date. Additional reading or reference material may be suggested during the course of the lecture. Laboratory sessions will involve both hands-on and minds-on exercises that will require either individual or small group work/reporting. Evaluations: 1. Lab exercises will involve hands-on/minds-on exercises with reports due at a subsequent lab meeting. 2. A final paper in Chemistry will be base on a group project (~5 members per team) analyzing historical water quality data for the NY/NJ Harbor System and linking this work to past environmental regulations/management. 3. A final paper in Toxicology will also be done in small groups, analyzing risk assessment data and putting it into a form suitable for communicating to a lay audience. The Final Projects will be due on Thursday August 18, 12PM. No Delays.3 Policy on Late Submissions of Labs and