Innovations in applied chemical laboratory technology education: Determination of metals in selected drinking fountains by flame atomic absorption

TECH 15

John K. Galiotos, john.galiotos@hccs.edu, Marion Ali, marion.ali@hccs.edu, Fahara Esphana, Marlene Martinez, and Oscar Rentira. Science Technology Division, Houston Community College-NE, 555 Community College Drive, Houston, TX 77013
Part of the success of a Chemical Laboratory Technology program is the applied laboratory methodologies that are implemented to better train and educate ChemTech majored students. Due to a publish discussion in a leading magazine about the discovery of metals in the drinking water, students were prompted to perform a series a test on campus and beyond. The HCC-NE Chemical Laboratory Technology program in partnership with Envirotest LTD studied collaboratively the determination of metals in selected drinking water fountains as part of the laboratory component of the applied instrumental analysis course of the Chemical Laboratory Technology curriculum. All of the drinking water fountains installed on campus were tested for selected metals trapped in the water. This study aimed to determine the degree of metal contamination of drinking water fountains initially on campus and continue on at other selected colleges of the system. Results generated suggest the presence of calcium and magnesium in above the norm concentrations.
 

Sci Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Sci-Mix

Division of Chemical Technicians

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006