faulty exhaust system in the old yellow bus. Those in the back of the
bus were exposed to more carbon monoxide than those in the front
of the bus. Those who got sick who were sitting in places other than
the back of the bus must be more sensitive to carbon monoxide
than average.
10-p. To complete the discussion of the field trip, go to Activity 2.
ACTIVITY 2: What Can I Do?
1. Ask students whether some of the students on the field trip made
choices that either limited or increased their exposure to chemicals on the museum field trip. Discuss how the choices the students on
Content Standard F:
the field trip made are similar to decisions that they make in their
Students should develop
own lives.
understanding of personal
health, natural hazards,
Students who did the Web version of the activity can refer to the
and risks and benefits.
records online to find out how exposure to the chemicals present at the
field trip locations can be avoided.
If students did the print version of Activity 1, ask them how their use of the Choice Cards simulated decisions they make in their own lives
that influence their exposure to chemicals.
Informed citizens can make decisions to limit or eliminate their exposure to environmental hazards. They can alter their lifestyles, their work, their use of materials that are made of hazardous chemicals, and so on.
117
Student Lesson 6
Chemicals, the Environment, and You
2. Discuss with students that the cause of the sickness in some of the field-trip students was related to a situation over which the students had no control. Ask students what they think they would be able to do
about the faulty exhaust system in the bus. Go one step further and
ask students what they think they can do about chemical exposure on
a community level.
Some choices are not left to the individual because the decisions are
made at a community or national level. For example, people could be
at risk of exposure to radiation when they live near a nuclear power
plant even if they do not support the decision to use nuclear energy to
produce power. In the scenario in this activity, students did not know
that the yellow bus had a faulty exhaust system, so they were unable
to decide to limit their exposure to carbon monoxide. In response
to the situation with the bus, students could write letters to their
superintendent, petition the school for stricter safety standards, or raise money to support a better maintenance program. Share with students
information about the various organizations and agencies whose
mission it is to protect human health (see Background Information).
Encourage students to investigate the organizations by logging onto the
following Web sites:
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov
• National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
http://www.niehs.nih.gov
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
http://www.osha.gov
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
• U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Service
http://www.usda.gov
118
References
Introduction to the Module
Weiss, I.R., Pasley, J.D., Smith, P.S., Banilower,
E.R., and Heck, D.J. 2003. Looking Inside the
Loucks-Horsley, Susan, et al. 1998. Designing
Classroom: A Study of K–12 Mathematics and
Professional Development for Teachers of
Science Education in the U.S. Chapel Hill, NC:
Science and Mathematics. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Horizon Research.
Corwin Press, Inc.
Wilson, C.D., Taylor, J.A., Kowalski, S.M., and
Implementing the Module
Carlson, J. 2010. The relative effects and
equity of inquiry-based and commonplace
Corrigan, P., Watson, A., Otey, E., Westbrook,
science teaching on students’ knowledge,
A., Gardner, A., Lamb, T., et al. 2007. How
reasoning, and argumentation. Journal of
do children stigmatize people with mental
Research in Science Teaching, 47(3), 276–301.
illness? Journal of Applied Social Psychology,
37(7): 1405–1417.
Lesson 1
Chemicals, Chemicals, Everywhere
Geier, R., Blumenfeld, P., Marx, R., Krajcik,
J., Fishman, B., Soloway, E., et al. 2008.
Eaton, D.L., and Gallagher, E.P. 1997.
Standardized test outcomes for students
“Introduction to the principles of toxicology.”
engaged in inquiry-based science curriculum
In I.G. Sipes, C.A. McQueen, and A.J. Gandolfi
in the context of urban reform. Journal of
(Eds.), Comprehensive Toxicology: General
Research in Science Teaching, 45(8): 922–939.
Principles (Vol. 1). New York: Elsevier
Science, Inc.
Hickey, D.T., Kindfeld, A.C.H., Horwitz, P., and
Christie, M.A. 1999. Advancing educational
Gilbert, S.G. 2004. A Small Dose of Toxicology:
theory by enhancing practice in a technology
The Health Effects of Common Chemicals.
supported genetics learning environment.
Washington, DC: CRC Press.
Journal of Education, 181: 25–55.
Klassen, C.D. 2008. Casarett & Doulls’ Toxicology:
Lynch, S., Kuipers, J., Pyke, C., and Szesze, M.
The Basic Science of Poisons, 7th ed. New York:
2005. Examining the effects of a highly rated
McGraw-Hill.
science curriculum unit on diverse students:
Results from a planning grant. Journal of
Project Greenskate. 2000. Basic toxicology.
Research in Science Teaching, 42: 921–946.
Seattle, WA: University of Washington,
Department of Environmental Resources.
Minner, D.D., Levy, A.J., and Century, J. 2009.
Retrieved December 15, 2000, from http://
Inquiry-based science instruction—what is it
depts.washington.edu/hereuw/greensk8/basic2.
and does it matter? Results from a research
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synthesis years 1984 to 2002. Journal of
Research in Science Teaching, 47(4): 474–496.
Society of Toxicology. 2012. What Is Toxicology?
Retrieved May 2012 from http://www.
National Research Council. 1996. National
toxicology.org/AI/apt/careerguide.asp#What is
Science Education Standards. Washington, DC:
Toxicology?
National Academy Press.
Lesson 2
Watson, A.C., Otey, E., Westbrook, A.L., Gardner,
The Dose Makes the Poison
A.L., Lamb, T.A., Corrigan, P.W., et al.
2004. Changing middle schoolers’ attitudes
Klassen, C.D. 2008. Casarett & Doulls’ Toxicology:
about mental illness through education.
The Basic Science of Poisons, 7th ed. New York:
Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30(3): 563–572.
McGraw-Hill.
119
Chemicals, the Environment, and You
National Institute of Environmental Health
Illinois Teratogen Information Service. 2010.
Sciences. 2009. Countries Unite to Reduce
Caffeine and Pregnancy. Chicago, IL: ITIS.
Animal Use in Product Toxicity Testing
Retrieved May 2012 from http://www.fetal-
Worldwide. Retrieved May 2012 from http://
exposure.org/resources/index.php/1997/10/01/
www.niehs.nih.gov/news/releases/2009/pttw.cfm.
caffeine-and-pregnancy/.
National Research Council. 1996. National
Marczewski, A.E., and Kamrin, M. Toxicology
Science Education Standards. Washington,
for the Citizen. East Lansing, MI: Michigan
DC: National Academy Press. Retrieved
State University, Institute for Environmental
February 17, 2010, from http://www.nap.edu/
Toxicology. Retrieved May 2012 from http://
catalog.php?record_id=4962.
web.archive.org/web/20041221161515/ http://
www.iet.msu.edu/Tox_for_Public/citizen.htm.
NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation
of Alternative Toxicological Methods
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
(NICEATM) and the Interagency Coordinating
Alcoholism. 1997. Alcohol Metabolism [Alcohol
Committee on the Validation of Alternative
Alert No. 35]. Washington, DC: NIAAA.
Methods (ICCVAM). 2012. Web site. Retrieved
Retrieved February 17, 2010, from http://pubs.
May 2012 from http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/.
niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa35.htm.
Society of Toxicology. 2012. Positions and Policy
Lesson 5
Statements. Retrieved May 2012 from www.
What Is the Risk?
toxicology.org/ai/FA/SOT_PositionState.pdf.
Japanese Environmental Health Department.
Lesson 3
2002. Outbreak of Minamata Disease.
Dose-Response Relationships
Tokyo, Japan: Ministry of the Environment,
Government of Japan. Retrieved February 17,
Gilbert, S.G. 2004. A Small Dose of Toxicology:
2010 from http://www.env.go.jp/en/chemi/hs/
The Health Effects of Common Chemicals.
minamata2002/ch2.html.
Washington, DC: CRC Press.
Marczewski, A.E., and Kamrin, M. Toxicology
Klassen, C.D. 2008. Casarett & Doulls’
for the Citizen. East Lansing, MI: Michigan
Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 7th
State University, Institute for Environmental
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Toxicology. Retrieved May 2012August
17, 2000 from http://web.archive.org/
Marczewski, A.E., and Kamrin, M. 1991.
web/20041221161515/http://www.iet.msu.edu/
Toxicology for the Citizen. East Lansing,
Tox_for_Public/citizen.htm. www.iet.msu.edu/
MI: Michigan State University, Institute for
toxconcepts/toxconcepts.htm.
Environmental Toxicology.
Lesson 6
Lesson 4
Environmental Hazards
Individual Responses Can Be Different
National Research Council. 1996. National
Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1997.
Science Education Standards. Washington, DC:
What’s your poison? Caffeine. ABC Online.
National Academy Press. Retrieved February
Retrieved February 17, 2010, from http://abc.
17, 2010, from http://www.nap.edu/catalog.
net.au/quantum/poison/caffeine/caffeine.htm.
php?record_id=4962.
Chudler, E.H. Caffeine. In Neuroscience for Kids.
Glossary
Retrieved February 17, 2010, from http://
faculty.washington.edu/chudler/caff.html.
Academic Press, 1997. Acetaminophen. Retrieved
August 25, 2000, from http://www.apnet.com/
toxic/acet.htm.
120
Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases
National Institute of Environmental Health
Registry. Medical Management Guidelines for
Sciences. 1999. Science panel endorses new
Benzene. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from
non-animal test (press release #10-99, June
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg3.html.
29). Retrieved July 29, 1999, from http://www.
niehs.nih.gov/news/releases/news-archive/1999/
Klassen, C.D. 2008. Casarett & Doulls’ Toxicology:
corros.cfm.National Institute of Environmental
The Basic Science of Poisons, 7th ed. New York:
Health Sciences. Web site. Retrieved August
McGraw-Hill.
25, 2000, from http://www.niehs.nih.gov.
National Institutes of Health and Biological
Needleman, H.L., and Landrigan, P.J. 1994.
Sciences Curriculum Study. 1999. Cell
Raising Children Toxic Free. New York, NY:
Biology and Cancer. NIH Curriculum
Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Supplement Series. Colorado Springs: BSCS.
Available from http://science.education.nih.gov/
Public Health Institute/Children’s Environmental
supplements/nih1/cancer.
Health Network. 1997. Resource Guide on
Children’s Environmental Health. .
Marczewski, A.E., and Kamrin, M. Toxicology
for the Citizen. East Lansing, MI: Michigan
Sipes, I.G., McQueen, C.A., and Gandolfi, A.J.
State University, Institute for Environmental
1997. Comprehensive Toxicology, Vol. 1. New
Toxicology. Retrieved May 2012 from http://
York: Elsevier Science Ltd.
web.archive.org/web/20041221161515/http://
Sullivan, T.F.P. 1993. Environmental Regulatory
www.iet.msu.edu/Tox_for_Public/citizen.htm.
Glossary (6th ed.). Rockville, MD:
McQueen, Charleen. 1999. Personal
Government Institutes, Inc.
communication.
121
References
Additional Resources
for Teachers
The following resources may provide additional
health information to teach students about the
background information for you and your
interconnection between their health and the
students about chemicals in the environment
world around them.
and human health.
International Food Information Council
Agency for Toxic Substances
http://www.foodinsight.org
and Disease Registry
Read the article titled “Caffeine and health:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Clarifying the controversies.” The site includes
This site includes ToxFAQs™, summaries about
information for educators on food and food risks.
hazardous substances with easy-to-understand
information about exposure to hazardous
National Environmental Education
substances and effects on human health
Foundation
( http//:www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html). The site
http://www.neefusa.org
also includes a kids’ page ( http://www.cdc.gov/
NEEF provides credible resources to solve
family/kidsites/index.htm) with facts about toxic
everyday environmental problems.
chemicals and the environment.
National Institute of Environmental
Centers for Disease Control
Health Sciences
and Prevention
http://www.niehs.nih.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/
This site provides current and authoritative
Offers information on a range of topics including
information about the work of the National
diseases and conditions ( http://www.cdc.gov/
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and
DiseasesConditions/) like ADHD, autism, cancer,
about the institute’s latest research projects. The
HIV/AIDS; environmental health ( http://www.
site includes links to NIEHS curricula, resources
cdc.gov/Environmental/) issues like air quality,
for science teachers, and fact sheets about
asthma, climate change, natural disasters; life
environmental health topics ( http://www.niehs.gov/
stages and populations ( http://www.cdc.gov/
health/scied/index.cfm).
LifeStages/) covering pregnancy, children, women,
older adults; healthy living ( http://www.cdc.gov/
National Toxicology Program
HealthyLiving/) covering topics like aging, mental
http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov
health, genetics and genomics, and obesity.
Headquartered at the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences, the National
Environmental Health Perspectives
Toxicology Program coordinates toxicology
http://www.ehponline.org
research and testing activities within the
A monthly journal of peer-reviewed research
Department of Health and Human Services. This
and news published by the NIEHS. The
site includes factsheets on chemicals, reports
EHP Science Education Program promotes
on carcinogens, and links to other sites, such as
environmental health science as an integrative
the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the
context for learning to promote students’ use
Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM)
and understanding of scientific literature. We do
regarding toxicology testing ( http://iccvam.niehs.
this by using current, credible environmental
nih.gov/).
123
Chemicals, the Environment, and You
Resource Guide on Children’s
Other Helpful Sites
Environmental Health
AAAS Educational Resources on ScienceNetLinks
http://www.cehn.org/cehn/resources/resource_guide
• Toxicology: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/
This site, provided by the Children’s
lessons.php?DocID=429
Environmental Health Network, includes a
• Endocrine Disruptors: http://www.
keyword index so students can search specific
sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?DocID=407
toxicants ( http://www.cehn.org/resources/resource_
guide_keyword_index).
A Small Dose of Toxicology
• Learn about the effects of common chemicals:
Society of Toxicology (SOT)
http://www.asmalldoseof.org/toxicology/index.php
http://www.toxicology.org
A professional and scholarly organization of
Baylor College of Medicine Teacher Resources
scientists who practice toxicology in the U.S. and
• BioEd Online: http://www.bioedonline.org/
abroad. SOT provides teachers with extensive
• K8 Science: http://www.k8science.org/
resources to teach toxicology-related topics in
the classroom and to familiarize students with
Canadian Network of Toxicology Centers
the study of toxicology ( http://www.toxicology.org/
• Toxicology: http://www.uoguelph.ca/cntc/educat/
teachers/curriculum.asp).
guide/guide_index.shtml
Toxlearn
EPA Teaching Center
http://toxlearn.nlm.nih.gov/
• Teaching Resources: http://www.epa.gov/teachers/
A joint project of NLM and SOT is another
teachresources.htm
extensive selection of databases and other
toxicology related information resources.
LessonPlanet
• Toxicology: http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
media=lesson&keywords=toxicology&grade=All+
http://www.epa.gov/kids
Grades&rating=3
This site has teacher and student resources
for learning about the environment and the
Maryland Public Television: Thinkport
connection between the environment and human
• EnviroHealth Connections: http://www.
health.
thinkport.org/classroom/connections/default.tp
U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)
Minimata Disease Resources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov
• Minimata Disease History: http://www.env.go.jp/
The U.S. National Library of Medicine is the
en/chemi/hs/minamata2002/index.html
world’s largest medical library. This site includes
• National Institute for Minimata Disease:
the Toxicology and Environmental Health
http://www.nimd.go.jp/english/index.html
Information Program, which provides information
on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, and
NIEHS Science Mentor Idea
toxicological