Pollution and Environmental Safety
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The objectives of the course are to provide the student with in-depth information about the effects caused by different substances (see program) on the environment and on human health. The molecular mechanims undelying these effects will be also addressed. Furthermore, the issues related to safety and the limits beyond which a substance passes form safe to dangerous will be dealt with particular interest.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student is expected to have acquired knowledge about the dangerousness of some substances on the environment and on human health. The acquired notions will concern not only the pathologies/dysfunctions potentially caused by the exposure but also the molecular mechanisms involved. The student will develop a critical way of thinking by reading scientific manuscripts written in English and published in international journals. During the lessons, the student will report to the teacher and to the classmates about the papers read thus increasing his/her ability to communicate and transmit the acquired knowledge.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
1. Pollution and epidemiology: definitions, area of study and regulations;
2. Ecosystem effects (human, animal and plant health) and general mechanisms of toxicity:
2.1 Agricultural and farming pollution: pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and greenhouse gases;
2.2 Industrial and vehicular pollution: particulate matter, organic compounds, dioxides, metals;
2.3 Pharmacological pollution: drugs and substances of abuse;
2.4 Pest pollution: effects on human and animal health.
3 Emerging pollutants: definitions and examples (nanoparticles and microplastics and environmental effects);
4 Pollution and climate change: environmental health impacts and socio-economic implications.
2. Ecosystem effects (human, animal and plant health) and general mechanisms of toxicity:
2.1 Agricultural and farming pollution: pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and greenhouse gases;
2.2 Industrial and vehicular pollution: particulate matter, organic compounds, dioxides, metals;
2.3 Pharmacological pollution: drugs and substances of abuse;
2.4 Pest pollution: effects on human and animal health.
3 Emerging pollutants: definitions and examples (nanoparticles and microplastics and environmental effects);
4 Pollution and climate change: environmental health impacts and socio-economic implications.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of cellular biology and toxicology is required.
Teaching methods
Lectures of two and four hours, divided into theoretical presentations of programme topics, followed by specific in-depth study through documentaries and group discussion of scientific articles on the topics covered.
Teaching Resources
All the material (slides and supporting educational material) will be provided by the teacher and uploaded to the ariel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Individual presentation of a scientific paper related to a topic studied in class. The mark will be expressed in thirtieths.
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment