Chernobyl Questions

1. What was design flaw in reactor # 4?

2. What components were set fee in the explosion?

3. Which countries were effected, and in what ways?

4. Describe the extent of the damage caused by the disaster.

5. What was the most common ailment from exposure to the chemicals, and what did it do to the body?

Questions 4 panel

1. How regularly are the tests being conducted?

2. What is the containment system for the chemicals?

3. What would you do if there was some sort of a breach in the containment? What is the backup plan?

4. As a scientist, would you bring your family here?

5. How long will it take before the chemicals will dissipate?

8-30-10 Catalyst Post

1. The chemicals were pushed up after an especially rainy winter. The water seeped underground and began to take up the space previously inhabited by the waste.

2. Although the definite health risks were unknown in the 70s, deadly dioxin was found in the canal.Later studies found the chemicals put humans at risk for cancer, liver disease, and birth defects.

3. The creeks to the north of the love canal also tested positive for chemicals.

Hazards of Oil Dispersants

Viewing the video and reading the article about the effects of the oil spill and chemical dispersants was an eye opener to the condition of the Gulf of Mexico and the animals living there. The statistics displayed by Susan Shaw showed just how many toxins we are actually in contact with daily (and it wasn't pretty). According to the University of Georgia, as stated in the Time Magazine article, the oil that was thought to have dissolved could still be out there under the surface, polluting the ocean water. Neither of these were comfortable concepts to think about. In the case of dealing with with the oil, dealing with it created an even larger problem, because the dispersants used to dissolve the oil have only created a more toxic combination. The oil itself was worse than the chemical dispersants, because it would stick to and coat the wildlife, while the dispersants alone did less harm. Together, however, they are extremely toxic.

Chemical Dispersants

Why is BP using such a dangerous dispersant?

What could we do to make these dispersants safer?

Will the dispersants have sever long term effects?