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Streams of Coal or Streams of Death?

A Toxicology Case Study

By Linda Niedziela

Streams of Coal or Streams of Death?


 

Abstract

Mary Beth was raised in Western Pennsylvania, an area where thousands of abandoned coal mines have led to extensive contamination of streams and associated ground waters. Aquatic life has clearly suffered, but the health effects on people living along the waterways have not been so clear. In working through this interrupted case study, students consider the biological consequences for Mary Beth’s family by analyzing selected research articles. Originally developed for an upper level toxicology course, it would also be appropriate for a cancer biology course and could easily be adapted for a course in science and society or environmental studies.

   

Date Posted

03/31/2007

Overview

Objectives

  • Use basic terminology and apply fundamental concepts of toxicology.
  • Distinguish between toxicology and epidemiology.
  • Understand the relationship between scientific research and risk assessment.
  • Appreciate the complexity of the risk assessment process.
  • Appreciate the improvements in environmental conditions and workplace safety that have occurred in the United States in the last 50 years.
  • Analyze primary research literature.
  • Explain the causes and mechanism of carcinogenesis.

Keywords

Coal mining; abandoned mine drainage; coal dust; carcinogenesis; cancer; risk assessment; workplace safety; experimental design; Western Pennsylvania

  

Subject Headings

Epidemiology
Public Health
Toxicology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Social justice issues

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Interrupted, Journal Article

 

 

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