Environmental Justice Through the Lens of Chemistry

Question 1

What is the primary goal of scientific inquiry?

Answer 1

To understand our surrounding and natural phenomena through observation, experimentation, and analysis.

Question 2

Name two characteristics that define the nature of science?

Answer 2

Reliance on empirical evidence and the iterative process of testing and refining scientific models.

Question 3

List the basic steps of the scientific method?

Answer 3

Asking a question, conducting background research, forming a hypothesis, experimenting and analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion.

Question 4

what is a hypothesis?

Answer 4

a proposed explanation made on the basis of evidence, that can be tested.

Question 5

Define environmental justice?

Answer 5

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies

Question 6

what role do socioeconomic factors play in environmental justice?

Answer 6

influencing individuals or communities exposure to environmental hazards and their capacity to respond to and recover from environmental health risks.

Question 7

what does WHO stand for?

Answer 7

World Health Organization, focusing on public health policies, health research, and response to health emergencies.

Question 8

what is the main purpose of the environmental protection agency?

Answer 8

to protect human health and the environment by enforcing regulations based on laws passed by congress.

Question 9

Give an example of an EPA regulation aimed at protecting environmental health?

Answer 9

Clean air act, regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.

Question 10

Identify one hazard pictogram and describe what hazard it indicates?

Answer 10

The corrosive material pictogram, which depicts a substance dripping on a hand and a surface, indicates that the chemical can cause skin corrosion/burns or damage to metals.

Question 11

What information is provided in a safety data sheet?

Answer 11

detailed information about a chemicals properties, hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.

Question 12

what is the charge of a proton?

Answer 12

The charge of a proton is positive (+)

Question 13

Where in the atom is the electron located?

Answer 13

The electron is located in the electronic cloud surrounding the nucleus of an atom

Question 14

What particle in an atom has no charge?

Answer 14

The neutron

Question 15

Which number in the periodic table determines the elements identity?

Answer 15

The atomic number, which is the number of protons

Question 16

Can you name the three main subatomic particles found in an atom?

Answer 16

Protons, neutrons, and electrons

Question 17

What is the difference between an atom and an element?

Answer 17

An atom is the particle of matter that has a chemical identity, while an element is a specific atom, or molecule or substance made of the same one type of atoms.

Question 18

How do isotopes of an element differ from each other?

Answer 18

Isotopes have different number of neutrons in their nuclei.

Question 19

What is a monochromatic ion?

Answer 19

A monochromatic ion is an atom that has lost or gained electrons, resulting in a net charge.

Question 20

If an atom has 11 protons, what element is it?

Answer 20

Sodium

Question 21

What is the atomic weight of an element, and how is it calculated?

Answer 21

The atomic weight is the average mass of an elements isotopes, weighed by their natural abundance.

Question 22

What term describes atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons?

Answer 22

Isotope

Question 23

What does the mass number of an atom represent?

Answer 23

The total number of protons and neutrons

Question 24

Define ionization in the context of atoms

Answer 24

Ionization is the process by which an atom gains or loses electrons, resulting in a charged ion

Question 25

What happens to an atom when it gains an electron?

Answer 25

When an atom gains an electron, it becomes a negatively charged ion, called anion.

Question 26

How can you determine the number of neutrons in an atom if you know its atomic number and mass number?

Answer 26

By subtracting its atomic number (number of protons) from its mass number.

Question 27

In terms of atomic structure, what distinguishes a neutral atom from an ion?

Answer 27

A neutral atom has the same number of protons and electrons, while an ion has an unequal number resulting in a charge.

Question 28

If an atom loses an electron, what type of ion does it become?

Answer 28

A positively charged ion, called cation

Question 29

What was the primary cause of the Love Canal environmental disaster?

Answer 29

An industrial chemical spill

Question 30

Which government agency played a key role in addressing the Love Canal disaster by declaring it a federal emergency?

Answer 30

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Question 31

What were some of the health effects reported by residents of Love Canal, leading to the evacuation of the area?

Answer 31

cancers, birth defects, and miscarriages

Question 32

What significant environmental legislation was inspired by the Love Canal disaster, aimed at controlling hazardous waste?

Answer 32

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability act or Superfund act

Question 33

The Love Canal disaster is an example of a violation of which social justice principles?

Answer 33

Mainly the principles of the right to live and access to safe housing.

Question 34

What is the different between equity and equality?

Answer 34

Equality- treatment of individuals in the same way, regardless of differences
Equity- recognizing the differences in order to promote equality

Question 35

What is ‘autonomous participation’ in the context of environmental justice issues?

Answer 35

Autonomous participation refers to the empowerment and involvement of community members in decision making processes that affect their health and the environment.

Question 36

What social system is often blamed for prioritizing profit over environmental safety, contributing to disasters like love canal?

Answer 36

Capitalism - it promotes unregulated economic structures that self-regulate through demand and supply

Question 37

what social structures are in place to avoid or mitigate environmental disasters in the US and globally?

Answer 37

Governmental agencies, global non-governmental agencies, international agencies

Question 38

define power

Answer 38

ability to influence and/or make decisions that impact others.

Question 39

Define privilege

Answer 39

Advantages and benefits that individuals receive because of social groups they are perceived to be a part of.

Question 40

Define oppression

Answer 40

A system that maintains advantage and disadvantage based on social group memberships and how they operate.

Question 41

Define systemic

Answer 41

Relating to, or common to a system (systemic disease: affecting the whole body)

Question 42

Define systematic

Answer 42

Done according to a fixed plan or system, methodical, presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles

Question 43

Describe a scenario where the environmental protection agency might intervene to address an environmental justice issue?

Answer 43

an overwhelming amount of pesticides being put on crops that’s affecting the food we consume

Question 44

Explain how scientific research can influence environmental policy decisions

Answer 44

Research can provide a clear understanding of the basic dimensions of environmental problems, identifying both what is known and what is un-certain.

Question 45

How can individuals contribute to environmental justice initiatives?

Answer 45

Reducing energy use, using reusable bags and bottles, and eating locally sourced produce.