GENERAL TOXICOLOGY 

Toxicology / Epidemiology /  Effect of Dose /  Exposure Types / Exposure Routes / Chemical Interactions / Bioaccumulation / Risk Assessment

TOXICOLOGY of SOLID MATERIALS 

Pesticides / Herbicides / PCBs / PAHs / Heavy Metals

TOXICOLOGY of WATER  

Aquifers vs. Open Systems / Nitrates / Sulfur Compounds / Water Quality Measurements / Water Purification

SOLID WASTE / SOIL MANAGEMENT  

Domestic garbage / Incineration / Accumulation of Heavy Metals / Treatment of Contaminated Soils

TOXICOLOGY of AIR 

Ozone Layer / General Air Pollutants / Acid Rain

POLLUTION INDOORS 

General / Specific Indoor Toxicants / Indoor Pollution Case Study

BIOASSESSMENT 

Environmental Bioassays / AMES Test

SUMMARY 

Introduction:

This course will provide a brief introductory examination of the fundamentals of Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry. It is intended to provide an awareness of some of the basic principles and issues of environmental chemistry / toxicology and will hopefully serve as a starting point for more detailed pursuits. The course material will be accessed via the internet and will include not only course notes but also useful website references for both reading assignments and future reference.

In some respects the planet Earth may be considered a living entity: endless reactions and interactions constantly producing and consuming a near infinite number of compounds, Like any living system, however, there are limits to the global equilibrium, limits which can be influenced by many factors, including human activity. It is the role of the environmental chemist to understand and examine the many environmental systems, to help establish limits for various compounds and to identify and understand new challenges in environmental chemistry / toxicology.

Environmental chemistry / toxicology cannot be easily categorized: there are many areas and necessary skills required in order to have a good level of understanding. A background in chemistry is useful to study both the chemical structures and breakdown products of various toxic agents as well as an understanding of the many reactions and interactions to which chemical groups are susceptible. A knowledge of biochemistry / physiology is highly useful to understand the implications of dose levels, physiological reactions and potential interactions with various tissues such as lipids, proteins and fatty acids. Finally a knowledge statistical methods is useful: not only to conduct meaningful studies but also to critically review the work of others to ensure non-biased results.

Environmental chemistry / toxicology is a broad-ranging subject that provides ample challenges to those wishing to become involved.

Assignments:

Communication between the instructor and student is essential. Students are expected to contact the instructor (via included e-mail links) to relate progress, present opinions and receive assignments.

Reading Assignments:  There will be several reading assignments requiring information to be obtained from the internet using the provided web-sites. The assigned materials are to be read and will illustrate or support concepts covered in the course notes, or may simply provide alternative views / information.

Specific Assignments: Two formal, professional-style reports will be prepared by each student to be submitted as MS Word-format file attachments.

Web-Based Teaching: A short (no more than a single paragraph) review of the web-based teaching format is required by each student and can simply be e-mailed to the instructor. Please comment on your experience with this alternative delivery method and whether or not it has been advantageous.

Selected Web-Site References

This is list includes a number of interesting web-sites reflecting different viewpoints in environmental chemistry / toxicology. The sites include local and international government sites, environmental groups and other organizations. These sites should provide an interesting starting point for research activities, both within and beyond the format of the course.

Environmental Protection Review Canada:

http://www.eprc-rpec.gc.ca/eic/site/eprc-rpec.nsf/eng/Home

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines (CEQG)

http://www.ccme.ca/publications/ceqg_rcqe.html

Environment Canada:

http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=ECBC00D9-1

North American Agreement on Environmental Agreement:

http://www.naaec.gc.ca/eng/index_e.htm

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) / USA:

http://www.epa.gov

Manitoba Environmental Index / Gov. of Manitoba:

http://gov.mb.ca/environ/index.html

Environmental Links:

        Greenpeace:  http://www.greenpeace.org/

        Sierra Club:  http://www.sierraclub.org/  

COURSE TITLE:     Environmental Toxicology

 COURSE CODE:    ENV-1011

 DEPARTMENT(s):  Health and Applied Sciences; School of Distance and Continuing Education

 PROGRAM(s): Chemical & Biosciences Technology

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This internet-delivered course offers the students a review of the many considerations (both chemical and toxicological) essential for the environmental toxicologist. In addition to detailed course notes, there are also assigned readings selected to provide a broad range of sources / opinions. Overall, the course is intended to provide students with an excellent background for future  environmental studies.

 COURSE FORMAT:

         Total Hours:   36                    Credit Hours:  3

         The course is comprised of an interactive internet web-site with both original material and assigned references

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After successfully completing Environmental Toxicology the student should be able to:

1.Comprehend fundamental concepts of environmental toxicology.

2.Conduct internet-based (and other) intensive reference acquisition activities to support research in environmental toxicology.

 COURSE RESOURCES:

         Course notes – D.Blicq – Environmental Toxicology

         Web-sites (D.Blicq)  http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/davidb/molecula1.htm

         Textbook: NA

         References:    On-line materials / Instructor web-sites as required

         Equipment:     Access to  computer / internet

 UNITS OF INSTRUCTION:

          1.0      LECTURE TOPICS

1.  GENERAL TOXICOLOGY 

Toxicology / Epidemiology /  Effect of Dose /  Exposure Types / Exposure Routes / Chemical Interactions / Bioaccumulation / Risk Assessment

 2. TOXICOLOGY of SOLID MATERIALS 

Pesticides / Herbicides / PCBs / PAHs / Heavy Metals

 3.  TOXICOLOGY of WATER  

Aquifers vs. Open Systems / Nitrates / Sulfur Compounds / Water Quality Measurements / Water Purification

 4. SOLID WASTE / SOIL MANAGEMENT  

Domestic garbage / Incineration / Accumulation of Heavy Metals / Treatment of Contaminated Soils

 5.  TOXICOLOGY of AIR 

Ozone Layer / General Air Pollutants / Acid Rain

 6.  POLLUTION INDOORS 

General / Specific Indoor Toxicants / Indoor Pollution Case Study

 7.  BIOASSESSMENT 

Environmental Bioassays / AMES Test

EVALUATION:

Reports: (2) reports are submitted electronically, each worth 50% of the final grade.

COURSE POLICIES:

1.  Student is expected to read through course material independently and communicate (as required) with the instructor via e-mail.

2.  Assignments are to be submitted as attachments to e-mail files.

 MORE INFORMATION:    David Blicq 632-2577 dblicq@rrc.mb.ca  http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/davidb A425M

All rights reserved.  This course outline is the property of Red River College.  No part of this outline may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording of taping, or information storage and retrieval system - without written consent from the Vice-President of Red River College.

You are encouraged to contact the instructor to discuss and explore the course material! Please forward comments and suggestions to dblicq@rrc.mb.ca