Environmental Justice Through the Lens of Chemistry Flashcards
Midterm
What is the primary goal of scientific inquiry?
To understand our surrounding and natural phenomena through observation, experimentation, and analysis.
Name two characteristics that define the nature of science?
Reliance on empirical evidence and the iterative process of testing and refining scientific models.
List the basic steps of the scientific method?
Asking a question, conducting background research, forming a hypothesis, experimenting and analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion.
what is a hypothesis?
a proposed explanation made on the basis of evidence, that can be tested.
Define environmental justice?
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
what role do socioeconomic factors play in environmental justice?
influencing individuals or communities exposure to environmental hazards and their capacity to respond to and recover from environmental health risks.
what does WHO stand for?
World Health Organization, focusing on public health policies, health research, and response to health emergencies.
what is the main purpose of the environmental protection agency?
to protect human health and the environment by enforcing regulations based on laws passed by congress.
Give an example of an EPA regulation aimed at protecting environmental health?
Clean air act, regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.
Identify one hazard pictogram and describe what hazard it indicates?
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.
What information is provided in a safety data sheet?
detailed information about a chemicals properties, hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.
what is the charge of a proton?
The charge of a proton is positive (+)
Where in the atom is the electron located?
The electron is located in the electronic cloud surrounding the nucleus of an atom
What particle in an atom has no charge?
The neutron
Which number in the periodic table determines the elements identity?
The atomic number, which is the number of protons
Can you name the three main subatomic particles found in an atom?
Protons, neutrons, and electrons
What is the difference between an atom and an element?
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.
How do isotopes of an element differ from each other?
Isotopes have different number of neutrons in their nuclei.
What is a monochromatic ion?
A monochromatic ion is an atom that has lost or gained electrons, resulting in a net charge.
If an atom has 11 protons, what element is it?
Sodium
What is the atomic weight of an element, and how is it calculated?
The atomic weight is the average mass of an elements isotopes, weighed by their natural abundance.
What term describes atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons?
Isotope
What does the mass number of an atom represent?
The total number of protons and neutrons
Define ionization in the context of atoms
Ionization is the process by which an atom gains or loses electrons, resulting in a charged ion
What happens to an atom when it gains an electron?
When an atom gains an electron, it becomes a negatively charged ion, called anion.
How can you determine the number of neutrons in an atom if you know its atomic number and mass number?
By subtracting its atomic number (number of protons) from its mass number.
In terms of atomic structure, what distinguishes a neutral atom from an ion?
A neutral atom has the same number of protons and electrons, while an ion has an unequal number resulting in a charge.
If an atom loses an electron, what type of ion does it become?
A positively charged ion, called cation
What was the primary cause of the Love Canal environmental disaster?
An industrial chemical spill
Which government agency played a key role in addressing the Love Canal disaster by declaring it a federal emergency?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
What were some of the health effects reported by residents of Love Canal, leading to the evacuation of the area?
cancers, birth defects, and miscarriages
What significant environmental legislation was inspired by the Love Canal disaster, aimed at controlling hazardous waste?
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability act or Superfund act
The Love Canal disaster is an example of a violation of which social justice principles?
Mainly the principles of the right to live and access to safe housing.
What is the different between equity and equality?
Equality- treatment of individuals in the same way, regardless of differences
Equity- recognizing the differences in order to promote equality
What is ‘autonomous participation’ in the context of environmental justice issues?
Autonomous participation refers to the empowerment and involvement of community members in decision making processes that affect their health and the environment.
What social system is often blamed for prioritizing profit over environmental safety, contributing to disasters like love canal?
Capitalism - it promotes unregulated economic structures that self-regulate through demand and supply
what social structures are in place to avoid or mitigate environmental disasters in the US and globally?
Governmental agencies, global non-governmental agencies, international agencies
define power
ability to influence and/or make decisions that impact others.
Define privilege
Advantages and benefits that individuals receive because of social groups they are perceived to be a part of.
Define oppression
A system that maintains advantage and disadvantage based on social group memberships and how they operate.
Define systemic
Relating to, or common to a system (systemic disease: affecting the whole body)
Define systematic
Done according to a fixed plan or system, methodical, presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles
Describe a scenario where the environmental protection agency might intervene to address an environmental justice issue?
an overwhelming amount of pesticides being put on crops that’s affecting the food we consume
Explain how scientific research can influence environmental policy decisions
Research can provide a clear understanding of the basic dimensions of environmental problems, identifying both what is known and what is un-certain.
How can individuals contribute to environmental justice initiatives?
Reducing energy use, using reusable bags and bottles, and eating locally sourced produce.
