Case studies developed in CHEM 371: Chemistry and Society – Impact and Legacy (Fall 2022)
Consequences of Agent Orange on the Vietnamese Community
Over the 61 years since Agent Orange’s first use, the dioxin has not only left a mark on US veterans and their families, but continues to affect the Vietnamese population and environment. TCDD is still physically present in the soil of Vietnam, and most likely will continue to harm its inhabitants for the foreseeable future.
History and Legacy of Environmental Racism in the Bayview Hunters Point Neighborhood
Despite the shipyard eventually being decommissioned, the effects of radioactive contamination still harms the people of Bayview Hunters Point. To this day, as the responsible party, the US Navy is still in the process of managing the cleanup.
Impact of Insulin Prices on Latinx Communities in the United States
Even though the net cost of manufacturing insulin has decreased by 30.8% between 2014 and 2018, the average prices for one vial have increased by 40.1% for the 7.4 million Americans with diabetes who rely upon insulin.
Neglected Impacts of the Nevada Test Site’s Nuclear Fallout on Native Americans
The government’s findings used to determine how much compensation and support was given to impacted communities neglected to take into account how lifestyle influences exposure.
Polio Diagnosis in Underrepresented Minorities
From 1910 to 2019, polio infected more than 585,000 people in the United States alone — 1 in 200 of which became paralyzed by the disease. Despite the prevalence of polio in the U.S., people of color with polio were under-diagnosed in the early decades of the disease.
Raising Awareness to the Possible Consequences of a Drying Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake in Utah has been drying up in recent years leading to toxic air and rain in surrounding communities. Although these conditions can affect everyone residing nearby, those without financial resources to seek better health or relocate will be the most heavily affected.