The Process: Health Inspector

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It is VITAL that the Health Inspectors present the results of their

fact-finding mission to the HazMat Cleanup Organization  in order

to motivate the task force to move quickly to avoid illness and

toxic side effects in the residents of Millersville. 

 

Each person that has the role of the health inspector must:

1.  Find all of the information listed below to prepare the report.   

     Links to use as research can be found by clicking on the

     hazardous waste barrels.

2.  Create a table with all the information needed to show the negative effects of the

     poisoning in a clear and concise manner.

3.  Hand in a copy of the information found to the teacher.

4.  Meet with the environmentalist and the chemist to create a Powerpoint for the presentation to the HazMat

     Clean-up Organization putting all of the information together.

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Fact Sheet Directions:  Answer the following questions from the perspective of a health inspector, and be

     prepared to hand in a copy of this fact sheet to your teacher:

1.  What is mercury? Include the dictionary definition with examples.  Give the scientific

     explanation of why the chemical is harmful and how the common understanding

     differs from the scientific understanding of the contaminant.

2.  What were the effects of the mercury poisoning tragedy in Minamata Bay, Japan

     (1959) due to the lack of clean-up effort? 

3.  List the 2 most common ways people are poisoned by mercury, provide examples. 

4.  List the short-term effects of mercury poisoning in adults and in children.

5.  List the long-term effects of mercury poisoning in adults and in children.

6.  How does a person confirm that they have been exposed to mercury?  Explain your answer.

7.  Using information from questions 5 and 6, design a chart to show the symptoms,

     diseases and prognosis of adults and children (both living and developing in the

     womb) exposed to mercury over the short term and over a longer period of time.  This

     will be used for the presentation.  The chart below is a suggestion.

Resident   Short Term     Long Term  
  Symptoms Diseases Prognosis Symptoms Diseases Prognosis
Adult

 

            
Child

 

            
Developing Fetus

 

            

8.  Why is it necessary to undergo a speedy clean-up effort in the case of the Millersville

     spill?  Create a list of points that should be made to convince the task force to get

     moving.

So, it's time for you to get moving, too!!

 

Author: Bonnie Zimmermann