Air Pollution/Mold
and the Respiratory System
Problems/Case Studies
"A
Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed: A Case Study on Human
Respiratory Physiology" William H. Cliff, Niagara University,
and Ann W. Wright, Canisius College. State University of New York
at Buffalo’s National Center for Case Study Teaching
This directed case study was designed
to help students strengthen their understanding of the transport
of oxygen in the blood through an analysis of the pathophysiology
of a common, real-world problem — namely, carbon monoxide
poisoning.
The case was developed for use
by undergraduates majoring in biology, nursing, and education
who are enrolled in a two-semester course in human anatomy and
physiology.
"The 1st New
Disease of the 21st Century " Otto Sanchez,
University of Ontario Institute of Technology. State University of
New York at Buffalo’s National Center for Case Study Teaching.
This case study uses a
PowerPoint-driven approach combined with role-playing to present
the epidemiology and pathophysiology of Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS). Students learn about the etiology and
pathophysiology of the disease, then argue different health
professional perspectives on a plan of action for dealing with its
consequences.
Developed for a pathophysiology
course for undergraduates, the case could also be used in a
microbiology course or in a course in public or international
health.
"Zoe Takes a
Dive". DE Allen. Thinking
Toward Solutions: Problem-Based Learning Activities for
General Biology.
Allen, D. E. and Duch, B. J. (1998). New York: Saunders College Publishing, p
94-101.
Stage 1: Zoe is a Weddell seal being studied by a
student on a research expedition to Antarctica. Students analyze the physiological
challenges seals face with their up to 50minute dives underwater. How does the seal overcome fast ascent
through water?
Stage 2: Students examine data from Zoe’s dive
including lactic acid concentration, blood flow velocities, heart
rate and blood pressure. Students
must predict curves on the graphs using
previous knowledge.
Stage 3: As the student analyzes the results of
the research project, students predict how hemoglobin
concentrations differ between seals and humans, other data the
student must include, and whether a fetus would have survived
Zoe’s prolonged dive
CNN Video Clips
Topic:
State of the Air 2002: Environmental
Science 6th Ed. CNN Ed (2:06)
According to the
State of the Air 2002 report by the American Lung Association,
nearly 50% of the U.S. population lives in areas where air
pollution levels puts them at risk for major health
problems. In fact, over 142 million Americans live in areas
that contain dangerous levels of ozone pollution or smog.
Ozone, or smog pollution as it is commonly known, is a byproduct
of automobile exhaust and fossil fueled industries, which emit
nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons. As these gases mix
and react with sunlight, they form a dangerous gas that is harmful
to human body tissues, such as the eyes, throat, and lungs.
Individuals most at risk are the elderly, people with lung
disease, and children with asthma. Ozone pollution is
normally at its highest concentrations during the months of May
through September when higher temperatures and sunlight exposure
combine to enhance the effects of smog pollution. Typically,
ozone pollution is concentrated in largely populated cities.
However, in some cases, smaller cities in remote areas have been
found to contain high amounts of smog pollution caused by ozone
pollution that has drifted away from nearby larger cities with
high amounts of ozone pollution. Of the 678 counties in the
U.S. with air pollution monitors, 391 counties received an “F” for
ozone pollution (an “F” grade indicates an area has nine or more
days per year of unhealthful air, based on the EPA Air Quality
Index). Four cities in California remain at the top of the
list as the most polluted areas since 2000. Los Angeles
remains the worst ozone polluted area, followed by Bakersfield,
Fresno, and the Visalia area. The fifth most ozone-polluted
area was Houston, Texas, followed by Atlanta, Georgia; Merced,
California; Knoxville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and
Sacramento, California. Only 56 counties in the U.S. scored
an “A” for having no or relatively low amounts of ozone
pollution. The cleanest areas include Bellingham,
Washington; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Duluth, Minnesota; Fargo,
North Dakota; Flagstaff, Arizona; Honolulu, Hawaii; Laredo, Texas;
Lincoln, Nebraska; McAllen, Texas; Salinas, California; and
Spokane, Washington. Most of the clean air cities are
credited with having relatively fewer sources of greenhouse gas
polluters, but can also be attributed to the climate and location
of the areas. The worksheet includes the URL for the
American Lung Association website. (Student worksheet
provided on CD)
Topic: Smog
Pollution:
Environmental Science 7th Ed. CNN
Ed (1:40)
Ozone, or smog
pollution as it’s commonly known, is a byproduct of automobile
exhaust and emissions from fossil fuel industries, both of which
release nitrogen oxides (NOX) and hydrocarbons into the
atmosphere. As these gases mix and react with sunlight, they form
a dangerous gas that is harmful to human body tissues, such as the
eyes, throat, and lungs. From 1952 to 1953, the city of London,
England, experienced severe air pollution levels that caused
nearly 4,000 deaths. Because of this significant air pollution,
the government created the Clean Air Act to prevent a similar
situation from happening in the future. Nearly 50 years later, air
pollution is still present in many major cities and causes the
premature deaths of nearly 24,000 people each year. (Student
worksheet provided on CD)
Topic: Air Pollution: Environmental Science 7th
Ed. CNN Ed (2:07)
According to the Environmental
Protection Agency, almost 50% of the U.S. population lives in
areas where air pollution levels put them at risk for major health
problems. In fact, of the 146 million Americans that live in the
U.S., nearly 50,000 individuals go to the hospital every year
because of their exposure to air pollution. Overall, pollution
levels have decreased over the past 30 years. However, U.S. power
consumption has grown by 42%, and the average American drives
three times longer than drivers in 1970. Ozone, or smog pollution,
is a byproduct of automobile exhaust and emissions from fossil
fuel industries. It is harmful to human body tissues, and the side
effects of exposure include difficulty breathing, stroke, or heart
attack. Individuals most at risk are the elderly, people with lung
disease, and children with asthma. (Student worksheet
provided on CD)
Topic: "Mold
Exposure": Biology 8th Ed. CNN Ed 2004 (2:43)
Mold spores can lie dormant for
years. They germinate if favorable conditions for growth arise, as
when a home is flooded. According to physicians and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold exposure is not a
danger for most people. However, it can cause symptoms in people
with allergies, asthma, respiratory problems, or weakened immune
systems. Among the symptoms of mold exposure are sinus congestion,
sore throat, cough, and skin and eye irritations. Mold growth
occurs if there is a moisture problem and can be remedied by
eliminating the source of moisture. The EPA suggests that a
professional be called if there is more than 10 square feet of
visible mold. The worksheet includes the URL for the EPA’s web
page about mold and indoor air quality. (Student worksheet
provided on CD)
Articles in "Taking Sides"
"Can Pollution Rights Trading
Effectively Control Environmental Problems?" Easton, Thomas.
Taking Sides: Environmental Issues, eleventh edition.
Issue Summary:
- YES: Freelance science writer Charles W. Schmidt argues that
economic incentives such as emissions rights trading offer the
most useful approaches to reducing pollution. (from: "The Market
for Pollution", Environmental
Health Perspectives, August 2001).
- NO: Author, college teacher, and environmental activist Brian
Tokar maintains that pollution credits and other market-oriented
environmental protection policies do nothing to reduce pollution
while transferring the power to protect the environment from the
public to large corporate polluters. (from: "Trading Away the
Earth: Pollution Credits and the Perils of 'Free Market
Environmentalism'", Dollars and Sense, March/April
1996).
"Should Existing Power Plants Be
Required to Install State-of-the-Art Pollution Controls?"
Easton, Thomas. Taking
Sides:
Environmental Issues, eleventh edition.
Issue Summary:
- YES: New York
attorney general Eliot Spitzer states that removing regulatory
requirements for power plant pollution controls will prevent
needed improvements in air quality. (from: Testimony before the
United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
and the Committee on the Judiciary, July 16, 2002)
- NO: Environmental Protection Agency assistant administrator
Jeffrey Holmstead argues that removing regulatory requirements
for power plant pollution controls in favor of a markets-based
approach will improve air quality. (from: Testimony before the
United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
and the Committee on the Judiciary, July 16, 2002).