Lead and arsenic contamination in drinking water present major health risks, including developmental problems and cancer. Typically, these contaminants come from corrosion of lead from pipes and fixtures or leaching of arsenic from natural rocks. Since there are many environmental factors that facilitate the release of these heavy metals into water, infrequent sampling and traditional laboratory testing methods may fail to detect these contaminants. This presents a unique opportunity to educate the general population by starting with students and residents and engage them in frequent monitoring of drinking water quality.<br/>To achieve this goal, researchers from the University of Massachusetts Lowell have partnered with teachers from local public schools in developing educational modules on drinking water quality. The lessons focus on educating students on the danger of drinking water contamination, and slowly introduces students to more complex topics such as sensors and electrochemistry. The lesson concludes with hands-on activities, testing lead and arsenic spiked water samples with portable devices for measuring water quality. These devices include a pH and conductivity sensor, a colorimetric sensor, and a smart handheld electrochemical sensor. Additionally, the team is working with local community groups to organize workshops that will educate a broad range of community members to become citizen-scientists for monitoring drinking water quality. Frequent monitoring of drinking water contaminants and appropriately implementing timely, remedial measures will have a profound effect in protecting the health of the community and its members.

Educating students and community members as citizen-scientists for monitoring drinking water quality

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.