Internet Activity

C.O.P.P.A
 The information you provide below will be used for internal purposes only. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill does not share information about you with organizations outside the family of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Before you supply any personal information below, please read our complete Privacy Policy.

Click the Techie Toolbox for tips and help to make the most of your time on the Web.

Health Risks from Heavy Metals


Real World Question
Many chemicals are found naturally on Earth or are created synthetically in laboratories. Some of these chemicals are toxic to humans. What does this mean? The toxicity of a chemical to a person depends on the person's exposure to the chemical and on the potency of the chemical. A person's exposure to a chemical depends on the method of exposure and on the duration of the exposure. The potency of a chemical is the rate at which the chemical produces an effect. How are humans exposed to chemicals? How are they affected by chemical exposure?

Goals

  • Organize and synthesize information on a chemical or heavy metal thought to cause health problems in your area.


  • Communicate your findings with others in your class.

Data Sources
Make a Plan
  1. Read general information concerning heavy metals and other potentially hazardous chemicals.


  2. Use the sites listed on the Glencoe Science Web Site to research possible health problems in your area caused by exposure to chemicals or heavy metals. Do you see a pattern in the type of health risks that you found in your research?

  3. Check View Student Data to see what others have learned.

Follow Your Plan
  1. Make sure your teacher approves your plan before you proceed.

  2. Research Information that can help you find out about health risks in your area.


  3. Organize your information in a data table like the one shown.


  4. Write a report in your Science Journal about the results of your research on heavy metals.


  5. Post your data in the table below.
Analyze Your Data
  1. Evaluate Did all your sources agree on the health risk of the chemical or heavy metal?


  2. Analyze all your sources for possible bias. Are some sources more reliable than others.


  3. Infer Are the exposure limits of chemicals different between adults and children?
Conclude and Apply
  1. Analyse Results Were the same substances found to be health risks in other parts of the country? From the data on the Glencoe Science Web site try to predict what chemicals or heavy metals are health risks in different parts of the country. How potent are these chemicals?


  2. Compare the benefits and risks associated with the chemical you researched.


  3. Explain What could be done to decrease the risk of the health problems you identified?


  4. Determine if this chemical builds up in organisms or the environment.

Post your data in the table provided.

Health Risks from Heavy Metals
Location
Chemical or Heavy Metal
How People Come in Contact with Chemical
Potential Health Problem
Who is affected
Location
Chemical or Heavy Metal
How People Come in Contact with Chemical
Potential Health Problem
Who is affected
Location
Chemical or Heavy Metal
How People Come in Contact with Chemical
Potential Health Problem
Who is affected
* City:
* State:
* School:

* Required