Bibliography

Academic Invest. How to Become a Forensic Scientist. 2014. Web. May 28. 2015.

         http://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/chemistry-careers/
         how-to-become-a-forensic-chemist

Biello, David. Fertilizer Runoff Overwhelms Streams and Rivers--Creating Vast "Dead                                  Zones". Scientific American. March 14 2008. Web. May 27. 2015.
            http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fertilizer-runoff-overwhelms-streams/

Butts, Edward. John Wilson Murray. Historica Canada. 2015. Web. May 28. 2015.                                         http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/john-wilson-murray/

Davies, Reed, et O'Brien. Environmental Impacts of Lawn Fertilizer. Vermont Legislative Research              Shop. 2001. Web. May 27. 2015.

           http://www.uvm.edu/~vlrs/doc/lawnfert.htm

Gerasimo, Pilar. Emotional Biochemistry. Experience Life. 2003. Web. May 25. 2015.
           https://experiencelife.com/article/emotional-biochemistry/

Nordrum, Amy. Chemists Confirm the Existence of New Type of Bond. Scientific American. January     20. 2015. Web. May 21. 2015.
    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chemists-confirm-the-existence-of-new-                              type-of-bond/

"Plastic Bottles Leach Chemicals into Water: Study." CBC News. December 1. 2006. Web. May 27.               2015.
            http://www.cbc.ca/news/plastic-bottles-leach-chemicals-into-water-study-1.60513

United States. American Chemical Society. Forensic Chemistry. 2015. Web. May 28.2015. 

                http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/college-to-career/chemistry-careers/forensic-                      chemistry.html

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Smog--Who does it Hurt? What You Need to                             Know About Ozone and Your Health. 1999. Web. May 27. 2015. 

                   http://www.epa.gov/airnow/health/smog.pdf

Careers in Chemistry: Forensic Chemistry

http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/college-to-career/chemistry-careers/forensic-                      chemistry.html

 http://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/chemistry-careers/how-to-become-                            a-forensic-chemist

Forensic chemists use work with law enforcement agencies, analysing and testing samples from crime scenes. They use both qualitative and quantitative analysis to identify the evidence, its composition and its source. Some other job activities include testing body fluids or tissues for drugs or alcohol, examining fingerprints, and reporting findings in a comprehensible manner to the courts and other officers of the law (Academic Invest).

Being a forensic chemist requires a lot of patience and emotional stability, as often time is of the essence, and there will be immense pressure to produce results as soon as possible. Forensic chemists must also have good oral and written communication skills, so they can express their findings clearly 

To become a forensic chemist, a degree in either chemistry or forensic science is necessary. Taking courses such as soil analysis, biochemistry and physiology will give a great background with which to become a forensic chemist. Depending on the position, a masters may be required. To become a lab director a PhD is preferred, but to become a university professor a PHD is required. As with most science careers, hands on experience is the best way to gain the skills needed to succeed in your career (American Chemical Society).

 Volunteering, or doing an internship while completing your degree, is a good way to get experience and references when you apply for jobs (Academic Invest).

One of the most famous forensic scientists was John Wilson Murray, a Canadian who was one of the first to use forensic science and autopsies to solve crimes. His 31 year long career as the provincial detective of Ontario, in which he solved hundreds of crimes, earned him the nickname, “The Great Canadian Detective” (Butts).  

Unit Five, Gases and Atmospheric Chemistry: Air Pollution and Human Health

 http://www.epa.gov/airnow/health/smog.pdf

Gases are all around us. Although scientists are interested in gases in part due to their unique behaviour in terms of solubility, gases are important because they allow living things to breathe. Air quality is a very important part of human life: unfortunately, the modernization of industry and day-to-day life has a very negative effect on the atmosphere and the gases around us.

Ozone is a colourless gas made of three atoms of oxygen.  Most people know about the ozone that is found at Earth’s outer atmosphere that keeps energy and heat in the atmosphere and protects us from UV rays. But there is another kind of ozone that sits at ground level. This kind of ozone is referred to as smog; it is created by man-made pollution such as car exhausts, chemical and electrical plants, and other industrial processes, and can be damaging to human health (EPA 1).  Depending on the concentration of ozone in the air, ozone can cause respiratory problems like irritation, worsened asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, reduced lung function, and damaged lung lining.  Active people (especially children) are more sensitive to ozone, because when you exercise you breathe faster and more deeply, and therefore intake more ozone (Environmental Protection Agency 2). 

The problem with ozone is just one part of the greater problem of pollution and global warming. Smog and air quality are only getting worse as we neglect to care for the environment, and increase the mass production of consumer goods. It has gotten to the point where in some places children are advised not to do physical activity outside (Environmental Protection Agency 6)! Human beings have the right to breathe clean air and enjoy nature without having to worry about their health.

What do you think? What are the best ways we can cut down on our air pollution, on a small scale? What little steps should we all take as individuals to reduce air pollution and keep our respiratory systems clean and healthy?