ENVR 101 Introduction to Environmental Science, Safety & Health

Unit 1 Introduction to the Environmental and Safety Field

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Unit 1 Introduction to the Environmental and Safety Field Learning Objectives: To define environmental technology To discuss the general topics of environmental and safety To provide a historical context To obtain a general understanding of the regulatory context that governs this field To make known job opportunities that are available to environmental technicians Assignments/Exercises Read Chapter 1 How Did We Get To This Point? (In Introduction to Environmental Technology by Ann Boyce) Go through this units slides Visit the websites identified in this unit View the video(s) associated with this unit Answer the homework questions and send as an attachment in the homework area on Blackboard. Make sure you identify your name and homework number at the top. Environmental Technology Using the principles of science, engineering, communication and economics to protect and enhance safety, health, and natural resources This is a very multi-disciplinary field!! The businesses of environmental science and worker health and safety are not going away, on the contrary the job prospects are quite good Related Website: CSCC Environmental Science, Safety and Health program - http://www.cscc.edu/cs/envtech.htm Environmental Technology What is this field of environmental technology? Designed to reduce risk to human health and ecosystems Question Can we ever totally eliminate all environmental risk to humans or to the environment? Typically requires compliance with environmental regulations Hazardous Materials Substances that cause illness, harm or death to people, organisms, or the environment Described in terms such as: toxic reactive

Jeff Bates Columbus State Community College

ENVR 101 Introduction to Environmental Science, Safety & Health

Unit 1 Introduction to the Environmental and Safety Field

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flammable corrosive radioactive infectious Hazardous Materials We use hazardous materials all the time!! The regulations concerning hazardous materials are many, and can often be complex Questions What are some hazardous materials that you used today? What are some hazardous materials that you have in your home? Hazardous Waste Def. - A hazardous material for which there is no further use The media likes to use the term toxic waste, but toxic is only one term to explain these materials Once you define something as hazardous waste, the regulations really kick in There will be several mentions of this subject in later lessons Environmental Regulations Address the many problems within the environmental compartments Air Water Soil Biota Think of some different ways we can impact these compartments Environmental Regulations Major enforcement areas Air and water pollution Drinking water Hazardous material management and transport chemicals waste pesticides Radiation Health & safety Environmental Regulations There are a lot of different terms and acronyms involved in this business Go to the EPA Website - Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms for reference to environmental words http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/

Jeff Bates Columbus State Community College

ENVR 101 Introduction to Environmental Science, Safety & Health

Unit 1 Introduction to the Environmental and Safety Field

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Go to the OSHA Website - Glossary of Terms for reference to some safety and health words http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/hazglos.html Important Federal Regulatory Agencies EPA primarily involved in protecting the environment OSHA primarily involved in protecting workers DOT primarily involved in the safe transport of hazardous materials Historical Perspective In the late 19th Century there became a general awareness that urban living was not healthy and our natural resources were not endless Movements began by Henry David Thoreau and John Muir Go to http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/ to learn more about John Muir and his accomplishments Historical Perspective Early to mid-20th Century People became aware that some species could become extinct There was a huge expansion of the industrial base Many new chemicals were introduced Pollution had significantly degraded many urban areas Historical Perspective Modern environmental movement began in the 1960s Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was a significant event because the public became aware that chemicals had an impact on ecosystems and humans Ultimately led to the banning of the pesticide DDT Historical Perspective Love Canal incident in the 1970s is a landmark event A community near Niagara Falls, NY recognized that contamination from buried chemicals were impacting the residents health Declared a federal disaster area in 1978 Eventually lead to the enactment of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund) For a summary of Superfund visit: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/25anniversary/index.htm To see some very interesting Superfund photos go to: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/25anniversary/photo/ Human Population Growth The many people that are on the Earth increases the various concerns for the environment and the protection of human health

Jeff Bates Columbus State Community College

ENVR 101 Introduction to Environmental Science, Safety & Health

Unit 1 Introduction to the Environmental and Safety Field

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Use of more natural resources Use of more chemicals Generation of more waste It is expected that by the year 2050 the Earths population will level off at about 9-10 billion people Question What environmental concerns are you aware of that are exacerbated by the large number of people? Question What does the term sustainable growth mean to you? The Role of the Environmental Technician Necessary to have a broad knowledge of: Laws and regulations Math, the sciences, and computers Principles in the protection of the environment You need to be flexible and willing to learn new things, as this field changes all the time Typical Places of Employment Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants Engineering & Consulting Companies Environmental Laboratories Governmental & Regulatory Agencies Industrial Facilities Business Other Take a look at the variety of jobs that exist! Environmental Regulations EVERYONE is impacted by environmental regulations The products we buy and use The waste we generate The water we drink The food we eat The pesticides we use There are costs associated with complying with regulations, but the majority of the public has accepted these costs Websites to Visit Go to the Advanced Technology Environmental Education Centers website for a description of careers http://www.ateec.org/ Websites to Visit EPA www.epa.gov OSHA www.osha.gov DOT www.dot.gov

Jeff Bates Columbus State Community College