Chem 331

"Chemistry in Service of the Community"

CHEM 331 is designed to provide a meaningful community-based learning experience for students interested in applying chemistry and biochemistry to directly serve the needs of residents in the Northeast Neighborhood. The course was developed by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences, and Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, in collaboration with Memorial Hospital, the City of South Bend, the Robinson Community Learning Center and Greentree Environmental, Inc. Participating students will join with community partners in helping to identify neighborhood homes that have unsafe levels of lead contamination or household mold. In the one-credit course, each student will:

• Learn about the health impact of lead poisoning and household mold,
• Help to educate local homeowners, landlords, and residents of the risks associated with lead contamination and household mold,
• Join trained professionals in using well-established protocols to collect paint, dust, soil, water, and mold samples from area homes,
• Analyze collected field samples in Notre Dame labs.
• Inform affected occupants of ways to protect their families from further health risks,
• Assist family in applying interim controls
• Explore first-hand how poverty and environmental health issues affect individuals, families, communities, and society,
• Reflect on the experience of applying one’s professional skills to the betterment of society.
  

The laboratory component of this project involves state-of-the-art analyses of samples collected from area homes. Lead testing through ICP analysis is integrated into a portion of the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 333L). In addition, students use microscopy and PCR analysis to identify specific mold strains.