CHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK TO HUMAN HEALTH - Environmental Chemistry Module
The course is divided into blocks dedicated to the chemistry of water, soil, air and to the study of the main classes of environmental contaminants. These blocks have equivalent weight (approximately 10 hours dedicated to each block), preceded and interspersed with shorted topics.
Introduction to environmental chemistry (6h): main issues in chemical pollution. Dynamic interactions of the various environmental compartments: water-soil-air-biota.
The REACH legislation. Basic concepts of Green Chemistry.
Environmental compartments Water-Soil-Air (30h):
The water compartment: chemical-physical properties of aqueous systems. Parameters for the classification of the quality of water. Principles of water chemistry. Synthetic and natural complexing agents. Ionic exchange resins. Surfactants. Eutrophication. Water treatment. Groundwater.
The soil compartment: chemical-physical characteristics of the geosphere. The soil and its constituents. Soil chemistry. Fertilizers and nutrients.
The air compartment: structure and composition of the atmosphere. Photochemistry. Reactions of oxygen, nitrogen and nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere. Stratosphere chemistry. Stratospheric ozone formation and depletion. Chemical agents that cause ozone destruction. Troposphere chemistry. Reactivity of organic substances with the main tropospheric oxidants. Photochemical smog. Atmospheric particulate matter. Acid rain. Greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases.
Biodegradation: main biotransformation by microorganisms and their role in decontamination.
Principal organic and inorganic pollutants (10h): pesticides, metals, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins; emerging pollutants (e.g. flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, nanoparticles).
In silico alternatives to Animal experiments (2h): Introduction to alternative methods to animal testing, 3 R strategy, QSAR methodologies with examples of application for prediction of properties and activities of organic environmental pollutants.
Introduction to environmental chemistry: main issues in chemical pollution. Dynamic interactions of the various environmental compartments: water-soil-air-biota.
The REACH legislation. Basic concepts of Green Chemistry.
Environmental compartments Water-Soil-Air:
The water compartment: chemical-physical properties of aqueous systems. Parameters for the classification of the quality of water. Principles of water chemistry. Synthetic and natural complexing agents. Ionic exchange resins. Surfactants. Eutrophication. Water treatment. Groundwater.
The soil compartment: chemical-physical characteristics of the geosphere. The soil and its constituents. Soil chemistry. Fertilizers and nutrients.
The air compartment: structure and composition of the atmosphere. Photochemistry. Reactions of oxygen, nitrogen and nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere. Stratosphere chemistry. Stratospheric ozone formation and depletion. Chemical agents that cause ozone destruction. Troposphere chemistry. Reactivity of organic substances with the main tropospheric oxidants. Photochemical smog. Atmospheric particulate matter. Acid rain. Greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases.
Biodegradation: main biotransformation by microorganisms and their role in decontamination.
Principal organic and inorganic pollutants: pesticides, metals, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins; emerging pollutants (e.g. flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, nanoparticles).
In silico alternatives to Animal experiments: Introduction to alternative methods to animal testing, 3 R strategy, QSAR methodologies with examples of application for prediction of properties and activities of organic environmental pollutants.
C. Baird M. Cann “Chimica Ambientale” Zanichelli, 2013 (mandatory)
Other books:
• B. Rindone “Introduzione alla Chimica Ambientale” Città Studi Edizioni, 1996
• S. E.Manahan “Chimica dell’Ambiente” Ed. It. Piccin, 2000
• C.J. Leeuwen, T.G. Vermeire “Risk Assessment of Chemicals: An Introduction” Springer, 2007
Powerpoint slides and additional material will be made available on the e-learning web-page of the course.
The course is organized in 48 hours of frontal lectures and videoconference between Varese and Como. Attendance at the lectures is optional, but recommended, and the final exam will be the same for attending and non-attending students
The teacher is available by appointment arranged by e-mail or telephone (Varese, Via Dunant, 3, Red Floor).