Graduate School of Public Health
San Diego State University
Division of Environmental Health
PH 636: Hazardous Waste Management
Fall, 2011
3 Units
Class day/time: Monday, 4:00 -6:40 PM
Class location: HH122
Schedule number:22320
Instructor contact information:
Instructor: Dr. Rick Gersberg
Office location: HT-3
Instructor office hours: MTWThF 1400-1500
Phone: 619-594-2905; email:rgersber@mail.sdsu.edu
Course Description: This course will present the history, rationale, current laws and regulations
governing the proper management of hazardous and toxic wastes in California and the United
States, as well as present methods for control and remediation of these hazardous wastes in the
environment.
Course Goals and Learning Objectives:
Recount and describe local, state and federal government environmental health agencies
and major laws and regulations relating to hazardous waste and hazardous material
management, transportation, treatment and community right to know. Be able to identify
and explain the history, evolution, present structure, and future directions of hazardous
waste management.
Describe the disposition, transport, exposure to, and health effects of hazardous chemicals
in air and water, and solids. Apply key concepts and principles in order to describe the
movement of hazardous wastes in groundwaters, and methods for the treatment and
remediation of these groundwaters.
Communicate experimental results and other scientific information to various groups. To
support this objective, plan and perform research in primary scientific and other
applicable literature sources in order to synthesize available literature in the framework of
a project or plan for the management of hazardous waste.
Be able to explain the factors that affect global environmental health including climate
change and sustainability. Identify and describe the elements of a pollution prevention
program including cap and trade systems for greenhouse gases.
Identify and describe the analytical methods which categorize hazardous waste, and apply
key concepts and principles in order to describe and distinguish methods for the treatment,
disposal and storage of hazardous wastes.
7/28/2016
1
Text, Readings, Materials: Materials will be posted on Blackboard during the semester
Course Requirements, Evaluation and Grading: Grading for the course will be based upon
performance in the following assignments totaling 100% of the final course grade:
1. Quizzes…..40%
2. Class Project and Presentation ….. 30%
3. Class participation and Attendance…. 30%
GRADING SCALE
A = 95%
A- = 90%
B+ = 87%
B = 85%
B- = 80%
C+ = 77%
C = 75%
C- = 70%
D+ = 67%
D = 65%
D- = 60%
F = <59%
Course Syllabus Subject to Change
Every effort will be made to follow the syllabus content and schedule; however, if circumstances dictate
there may be modifications necessary during the semester. If such is the case the professor will make
every effort to notify students in a timely manner.
Course Calendar
Date
Week 1
(Aug. 29)
Topics
Introduction and history of the hazardous waste
management fieldINSTRUCTOR
Supplementary
Readings
Wk. 1 ReadingsLove Canal
Week 2
(Sept. 12)
Overview of regulatory framework of hazardous waste
management, RCRA- INSTRUCTOR
Wk. 2 ReadingsIntro to RCRA;
RCRA Orient.
Manual; Haz.
Waste Ident.
Week 3
(Sept. 19)
Regulatory framework, CERCLA and the Superfund
process- INSTRUCTOR
Wk. 3 ReadingSuperfund
Overview
Week 4
(Sept. 26)
INSTRUCTOR
Elements of groundwater hydrogeology, Bioremediation
Wk.4 ReadingIntro to
Groundwater;
Guide to
Bioremed.;
Bioremed. at
Superfund Sites
Week 5
(Oct. 3)
Fate and Transport of Hazardous Substances
Hazardous waste treatment and disposal technologies—
INSTRUCTOR
Wk. 5 Reading,
Haz. Waste
Treatment
Selection of Group Project
7/28/2016
2
Week 6
(Oct. 10)
Week 7
(Oct. 17)
Nadine Spertus. Principal Environmental Engineer.
Environmental Affairs. Solar Turbines IncorporatedRemediation of TCE in Groundwater.
Quiz
Health Effects of Greenhouse Gases, The 350 Tipping
Point;
Week 8
(Oct. 24)
Health Effects of Greenhouse Gases (continued); Carbon
Control Strategies (Carbon Taxes vs. Cap and Trade) and
Technologies- INSTRUCTOR
Week 9
(Oct. 31)
Toxic Torts; Video: “Toxic Trials” ; Film, “A Civil Action”
Week 10
(Nov. 7)
Universal Waste, E-Waste, and Household Hazardous
Waste, Ms Karilyn Merlos, SD Cty. Env. Health Dept.
Week 11
(Nov. 14)
Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Management .
Week 12
(Nov. 21)
Radioactive Waste Management- INSTRUCTOR
Week 13
(Nov. 28)
Quiz
Student Presentation of Group Projects
Week 14
Dec. 5)
Student Presentation of Group Projects
Wk. 10 ReadingE-Waste
Wk. 11 ReadingRadioactive
Waste Mngmt
Course policies
Blackboard. Announcements, assignments and class information will be posted on Blackboard..
It is your responsibility to check Blackboard daily. If a class must be cancelled without prior notification,
it will be posted on Blackboard, the day of the class, no later than Noon.
Class participation. Everyone is encouraged (and for a top grade) required to participate in this
class. If you have questions or comments, please share them. Please refrain from private conversations
during class.
Missing class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor to discuss
alternatives to any quiz or exercise you miss, and to obtain lecture notes, handouts, other materials or
instructions from the course Blackboard site or a classmate. Excused absences will be determined by the
instructor on an individual basis.
Religious holidays The University Policy File includes the following statement on absence for
Religious Observances: By the end of the second week of classes, students should notify the instructors of
affected courses of planned absences for religious observances.
Testing. Once a test begins, students are not to leave the classroom until all students have
completed the test. Needs should be attended to prior to the test or quiz.
Extenuating circumstances. If severe difficulties (e.g., illness, injury, death of a family member)
prevent you from completing an assignment on time, please contact the instructor to discuss alternative
arrangements.
Academic misconduct by a student shall include, but not be limited to: disrupting classes; giving
or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations, reports or other assignments; knowingly misrepresenting
7/28/2016
3
the source of any academic work; falsifying research results; plagiarizing another’s work; violating
regulations or ethical codes for the treatment of human subjects; or otherwise acting dishonestly. If an
instance of academic misconduct is suspected, the student will be informed of the infraction and the
penalty to be imposed. If appropriate, the matter will be referred to the Department Chair and Dean of the
College for mediation. Potential sanctions include a warning, an admonition, censure, reduction of grade
(including a grade of F for the course), disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion.
Group projects Students will be expected to work in teams to develop one of the course
assignments. Your grade for this assignment will take into account evidence of active and equal
participation by each member of the team in addition to teamwork and cooperation.
Nondiscrimination and academic honesty. San Diego State University is dedicated to a safe,
supportive and nondiscriminatory environment. It is the responsibility of all students to familiarize
themselves with University policies regarding nondiscrimination, misconduct and academic honesty.
Statement on Nondiscrimination Policy
San Diego State University complies with the requirements of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as well as other applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination.
No person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in,
be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program of the
California State University
SDSU does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, or treatment or
employment in, its programs and activities. Students should direct inquiries concerning San
Diego State University’s compliance with all relevant disability laws to the Director of Student
Disability Services (SDS), Calpulli Center, Room 3101, San Diego State University, San Diego,
CA 92128 or call 619-594-6473 (TDD: 619-594-2929).
SDSU does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, or sexual orientation in the educational
programs or activities it conducts.
More detail on SDSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy can be found in the SDSU General Catalog,
University Policies.
Student Conduct and Grievances
SDSU is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment for
students, faculty and staff. Sections 41301, Standards for Student Conduct, and Sections 4130241304 of the University Policies regarding student conduct should be reviewed.
If a student believes that a professor’s treatment is grossly unfair or that a professor’s behavior is
clearly unprofessional, the student may bring the complaint to the proper university authorities
and official reviewing bodies. See University policies on Student Grievances.
7/28/2016
4