Toxic wastes: a problem in search of a solution

24 Pages·1994·6.9 MB·English

by  Shrum, Stella

oct 5 \m
CAN A W UV>
A P roblem in Search of a S olution
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Science
Technology &
Society
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A P roblem in Search of a S olution
ACCESS
NETWORK
The guide that accompanies Toxic For information about other ACCESS
Wastes: A P roblem in Search of a NETWORK materials, the toll-free
Solution of the Science, Technology and number for Alberta educators is
Society series was written by Stella Shrum. 1-800-352-8293. Or you can write the
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numbers and titles are:
BPN 3539-01 The All Weather Video ©1994 by the Alberta Educational
3539-02 Toxic Wastes: A P roblem Communications Corporation
in Search of a S olution ISBN 1-895350-59-X
Printed and bound in Canada.
3539-03 The Lowdown on
Additives
3539-04 Extreme Close-up
3539-05 After the Flush Pt. 1
3539-06 After the Flush Pt. 2
3539-07 No Lab Coats Required
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Table of
Contents
The Science Technology and Society Series 1
To the Teacher 1
Overview 2
Understanding the Problem 2
Solutions to the Problem 6
Activities for Students 12
References 14
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2017 with funding from
University of Alberta Libraries
https://archive.org/details/toxicwastesproblOOshru
The Science, Technology
and Society Series
STS is an international science
tasks of science teachers is to help
education movement. It represents the students understand the science behind
controversial issues in order to promote
first significant change in the science
the idea that, as citizens, we all have a role
curriculum in 25 years. The STS
to play in solving environmental
concept strives to broaden the scope of
problems — but first we must understand
science education by integrating into them.
science curricula accurate
The video provides an opportunity for
presentations of the nature of science,
discussion of the advantages and
the nature of technology and the disadvantages to society of continuing to
interactions of science and technology use and produce substances that can
with each other and society. This video potentially cause harm. The information in
this video should help students to
series provides illustrative examples of
understand the problem, while providing
the relationships between science,
hope for a solution. It should help
technology and society. students make choices that will have a
positive influence on the environment.
The STS connections describe
The program is suitable for use as an
products and processes; environmental
introduction to a unit in chemistry or as
and ethical issues relating to the the culminating activity in a unit of
interrelationships among science, integrated science, and has curricular fit
with the STS connections in several of the
technology and society; how scientific
Asltubdeyr.t a Senior High Science programs of
knowledge develops and the influence
of society on scientific and
technological research ; and science After viewing this video, students should
be able to:
and technology related careers. The
contexts are meant to be relevant to
explain what toxic wastes are
students' lives and also prepare ysc categorize toxins according to the
students for life in a rapidly changing damage they cause
society in which science and yK describe some of the effects caused by
technology play an important role. toxic wastes
ytc name some significant common toxic
wastes and describe their sources
To the Teacher
yK describe some ways in which industry
is minimizing the release of toxic
This video program and guide are meant
wastes
for use with students, to bring the topical
issue of toxic waste into the classroom in a y&l briefly explain the process by which
balanced way. One of the most important wastewater is treated in a l arge city
Toxic Wastes: A P roblem in Search of a S olution 1
other environmental hazards. Largely
describe some ways in which
individuals, in their everyday activities, through scientific research, we are coming
to understand threats to the environment
may contribute to solving the toxic
and developing the knowledge and
waste problem.
technologies to alleviate them. “Toxilla”
cannot destroy us as long as we have the
will to use our powers of learning and
Overview
reasoning to find ways to reduce the threat
of toxic wastes.
Could toxic wastes eventually destroy our
planet? In a l ight-hearted introduction to a Understanding what makes a substance
serious topic, the monster “Toxilla” directs toxic can help lessen unreasonable fears of
viewers’ attention to the subject of toxic chemicals, preventing us from making
wastes. Alarm and panic are common
hasty decisions. Toxic substances react
responses to this potential threat to our with the chemistry of a l iving organism
environment; however, once we
in such a way as to impair or threaten
understand the problem and discover the
life. One way of categorizing toxins is
ways it is being addressed, particularly
according to the damage they cause.
how individuals can be part of the
solution, toxic wastes are not so
Corrosive substances destroy living tissue
formidable.
by reacting with it. These include
strong acids, bases and oxidizing
agents; e.g., sulphuric acid and
ammonia (both used in f ertilizer
production), sodium hydroxide (in
Understanding
drain cleaner), chlorine gas (pulp
the Problem
bleaching agent), hydrogen peroxide
(disinfectant), sodium hypochlorite (in
household bleach).
Metabolic toxins interfere with
We sometimes refer to our planet as
fragile when in reality it is p ractically biochemical processes such as cellular
indestructible, having withstood ice ages, respiration; e.g., carbon monoxide
bombardments of cosmic radiation, and (produced from the incomplete
collisions with comets and meteoroids. combustion of f uels, also present in
However, one aspect of the planet may cigarette smoke), hydrogen sulphide
well be too delicate to withstand toxic (naturally occurring in sour gas),
wastes — the ecosystem that sustains cyanide (rodenticide), formaldehyde
human life. (tissue preservative), aniline (textile
dye), sodium nitrate (meat
In the last 100 million years, numerous psrmeosge)r.v ative), ozone (in photochemical
species have come and gone and the
physical features of Earth have changed
Neuro toxins interfere with the
dramatically. Should we destroy the
ecosystem that sustains us, the planet will functioning of the nervous system;
survive and other creatures who thrive e.g., nicotine ( in tobacco products),
under the new set of conditions will rise lead compounds (a byproduct of
up in our stead. It is the set of conditions combustion), methyl mercury (present
favourable to human life that is most at in waters near the effluent discharge
risk of being altered by toxic wastes and from manufacturers of electrical
2 Toxic Wastes: A P roblem in Search of a S olution
equipment), organophosphates, eaten), vinyl chloride (used to make
carbamates and organochlorinates (all PVC plastics).
present in pesticides), methanol (a
solvent in antifreeze, paint, ink). A t oxic substance becomes hazardous
when it is p laced in the environment
Mutagens are capable of affecting genes where it can come into contact with living
and chromosomes by altering the things and potentially cause harm. The
structure of the DNA and RNA, Workplace Hazardous Materials
thereby inducing mutations in the Information System (WHMIS) describes
genetic code. This results in changes another way of categorising substances
that could become toxic wastes:
to the genetic structure in future
generations. Examples of mutagens tQC Corrosive substances eat and wear
include radiation (from X-rays) and
away at materials; e.g., battery acid,
benzopyrene (in coal tar, cigarette drain cleaner.
smoke and charbroiled meat).
yPC Toxic substances are poisonous or
Note: Even though it is described as
lethal in small quantities. Some of
such in the video, sodium nitrate is these materials cause immediate and
not considered a mutagen in humans, serious toxic effects; e.g., rat poison,
but rather a metabolic poison. Sodium
antifreeze, insecticide, while others
nitrate is added to cured meats for
are slower-acting and cause other
protection against botulism. Nitrate toxic effects; e.g., mercury, lead,
compounds are part of natures cycle cadmium.
of decomposition of organic matter
y&l Flammable and combustible
and are naturally present in many
food crops and water sources. They materials can ignite when in contact
with a spark or flame; e.g., lighter
are only a d anger if i ngested in
relatively large amounts.
fluid, gasoline.
"M Biohazardous materials contain
Teratogens act on the human embryo
infectious pathogens; e.g., viruses and
when it is in the uterus causing bacteria.
developmental abnormalities. The
factor usually has to be present during yK Dangerously reactive materials can
the first three months of gestation explode or produce deadly vapours;
when cell differentiation is most rapid. e.g., aerosol cans containing paints or
solvents.
Examples of teratogens include
radiation (X-rays), ethanol (in Oxidizing materials are unstable
alcoholic beverages), viruses (such as chemicals that undergo reactions very
rubella).
easily, possibly releasing toxic gases, or
they support combustion by providing
Carcinogens are substances that cause a source of oxygen; e.g., bleaching
cancer, or uncontrolled cell division. agents such as chlorine or hydrogen
Suspected carcinogens include
peroxide and potassium
benzopyrene, benzene (a gasoline
permanganate, which may be used as
additive), certain dioxins (in chlorine
a water disinfectant in rural areas.
bleached pulp), carbon tetrachloride
(a solvent), formaldehyde (in pressed
wood products), heavy metals such as
beryllium, and cadmium, nitrosamines
(may form in the gut when meat
containing nitrates and nitrites are
Toxic Wastes: A P roblem in Search of a S olution 3
WHMIS symbols
CLASS
A Compressed Gas
1 Flammable and combustible material
.
Oxidizing material
3
Poisonous and infectious material
2
and serious toxic effect
.
.
Materials c ausing i mmediate

Corrosive material
BiohMaaztaerrdioaulssi nc f aeucstiionugsm Doa tta8ehnregirpa elt r o oxiuc s e lfyXf e c trs eactive material1. (Si v ’ 1 v SI J
4 Toxic Wastes: A P roblem in Search of a S olution