Environmental Chemistry ESM 552

Duquesne University
Environmental Science and Management Program
Environmental Chemistry 552
Professor H. M. (Skip) Kingston

Environmental Chemistry ESM 552 3cr

The course provides students with an appreciation and understanding of the fundamental and theoretical background and concepts in environmental chemistry. Students will learn environmental testing methods and gain the knowledge necessary for critical evaluation of fundamental aspects of testing procedures and data derived from environmental testing.

Course instructors:

Dr. H. M. (Skip) Kingston, Professor of Chemistry at Duquesne University, received his B.S. degree in chemistry education, an M.S. degree in analytical chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and environmental management from the American University. He was a supervisory research chemist and Project Manager of the Consortium on Automated Analytical Laboratory Systems (CAALS) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. During 1984 and 1985 he served as Congressional Science Fellow of the U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, advising on environmental and science issues. His research interests include fundamental research in separation science, chromatography, microwave energy application, instrument development, standard reference materials development and certification, analytical and environmental test method development, and laboratory automation including expert systems and robotics. He has published widely in his field and holds several fundamental analytical patents.

Dr. Michelle Schaper is a toxicologist for the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Her position is within the Directorate of Technical Support, located in Arlington, VA. Michelle holds a B.S. in Chemistry (1976), an M.S. (Hyg.) in Industrial Hygiene (1981), and a Ph.D. in Toxicology (1984). After earning her Ph.D., Michelle completed 3 years of post-doctoral training (1984-1987) and remained in academia until 1997 when she joined MSHA. Dr. Schaper has expertise in inhalation toxicology and is interested in the respiratory effects of airborne chemicals, as found in indoor air, in the environment, and in occupational settings. Using animal data, she has proposed acceptable exposure limits/conditions for humans. Some of her research involved inhalation exposure to pesticides, metals, metalworking fluids, and thermal decomposition products (TDP) of synthetic materials. At MSHA, Michelle is involved in rulemaking, litigation, and educational activities. Specifically, her work has been related to diesel particulate, metals, silica, respirable coal dust, and air sampling in mines. Dr. Schaper has served on numerous committees, as an active member and in leadership roles. She is a full member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the Society of Toxicology (SOT). Currently, Michelle chairs the AIHA Toxicology Committee, is a member of the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Committee of the ACGIH, and is the Vice-President of the SOT Inhalation Specialty Section. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Duquesne University and at Point Park College where she team-teaches in Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology, respectively. Dr. Schaper has been an author on approximately 45 abstracts (presented at technical meetings) and 40 peer-reviewed papers. She continues to serve as an ad-hoc reviewer for scientific journals.

Dr. Kingston also instructs: ESM 551 Introduction to Environmental Science