Health Effects of Hazardous Materials: Case of Contamination in Avila Beach, A
A small town on the California coast, Avila Beach was the site of a two decade struggle with major oil company, Unocal. The struggle is recounted, from the 1979 discovery of an oil plume beneath the community and beach t..
Health Effects of Hazardous Materials: Case of Inappropriate Use of Methyl Parathion, A
The case of an unlicensed Chicago exterminator is investigated. Used appropriately, methyl parathion poses no danger. But Reuben Brown did not use it for its intended agricultural purposes. He used it inside people's ho..
Health Issues and the Great Lakes Environment
Zoologist and World Wildlife Fund senior scientist Theo Colborn discusses her work investigating the neurological deficits experienced by children whose mothers ate fish from the Great Lakes.
How Each of Us Affects the Environment (Part One)
Scientist and climate change expert Michael Oppenheimer talks about how the everyday choices we make as individuals take a toll on the environment, and discusses how we can make better choices. (Part 1).
How Each of Us Affects the Environment (Part Two)
Scientist and climate change expert Michael Oppenheimer talks about how the everyday choices we make as individuals take a toll on the environment, and discusses how we can make better choices (Part 2)
Human Activity and Air Quality
Scientist and climate change expert Michael Oppenheimer traces the history of air pollution, beginning with Roman times and moving forward to the post-War period. He also discusses the origins of interest in and awarenes..
Impact From Loss of Biological Diversity
Paul Ehrlich, best known for his work on population growth, observes that it's difficult to predict whether the loss of biological diversity will hit us suddenly and very hard, or if the effects will be played out more g..
Impact of Acid Rain and Climate Change on Ecosystems
Scientist and climate change expert Michael Oppenheimer talks about the consequences of acid rain in the lakes of southeast Canada and many states in the northeastern United States. "It leeches toxic metals, like aluminu..
Introduction to Waste Stream Management: Block Flow/Mass Balance Analysis
The first step in controlling wastes is understanding where and how they are generated. Engineers and environmental managers use a tool called a block flow diagram to make sense of complex industrial processes. They al..
Introduction to Waste Stream Management: Gaseous Waste
Gaseous wastestreams present a unique set of challenges. Air pollutants can travel far from their point of origin, causing a variety of health and environmental problems. A range of treatments, including physical, chem..