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The Olin Chemical Superfund Site Case Study

The Olin Chemical Superfund Site Case Study
Contributors
Professor Emeritus | South Dakota State University
Assistant Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health | University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus
Content Manager, Higher Education | Beyond Benign, Inc.
A ppt title slide with the case study title inscribed on it.
Summary
The Olin Chemical Superfund Site case study module consists of four lesson units and a classroom follow-up activity, designed to introduce students to the U.S. EPA’s Superfund Program and the history of the chemical industry. It also delves into the toxicology of chemicals released into the environment, while helping students explore green chemistry innovations that aim to eliminate the use of certain hazardous chemicals. The Olin Chemical Superfund Site case study is meant to complement and expand on core toxicology concepts found in the Toxicology for Chemists Curriculum by Beyond Benign. The case study is ideal for introductory-level college chemistry courses.

The case study units include lecture slides, specific learning outcomes, Course alignment and prerequisites, a detailed lesson plan and a list of additional resources. Additionally, the case study provides assessment and review questions for in-class discussions, homework, and exams.

This resource also guides educators and students in developing case studies based on Superfund sites in their own regions, adding local relevance and connecting students with their communities.

The module was authored by Prof. Nesta Bortey-Sam, Prof. Emeritus. Doug Raynie, and Dr. Monica Nyansa, with peer reviews by Prof. Jesse Morin, Prof. Dalila Kovacs, Dr. Kathleen Vandiver, and MIT Superfund Research Program (SRP) trainees Weixi Kang, Barathkumar Baskaran, and Haosheng Feng.

This resource was made possible with support to Beyond Benign from the NIH-NIEHS Superfund Research Program Grant P42-ES027707 (MIT Superfund Research Program). Any opinions, findings, and/or interpretations of data contained herein are the responsibility of the authors(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinions, interpretations, or policy of Beyond Benign and MIT Superfund Research Program.

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Moderation state
Published
Object Type
Lecture or course slides/notes (e.g., PPT, Prezi, PDF)
Activities/Technology (e.g., in-class activities, online games, hands-on activities/manipulatives, outreach, virtual tools, etc.)
Case studies
Videos (e.g., tutorials, presentations)
Audience
Introductory Undergraduate
Upper/Advanced Undergraduate
Published on
Green Chemistry Principles
Designing Safer Chemicals
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Good Health and Well-Being
NGSS Standards, if applicable
None
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
#1 Case Study_Introduction to EPA Superfund
Upon successful completion of this case study, a student will be able to:
1. Describe the EPA Superfund and the National Priorities List.
2. Discuss the purpose of the Superfund program and its successes.
3. Understand the steps in the Superfund remediation process.

#2 Case Study_The Olin Chemical Superfund Site
Upon successful completion of this case study, a student will be able to:
1. Recognize the history of Olin Chemical relative to the post-World War II growth and economic development of Wilmington, MA.
2. Explain the drinking water contamination in the town of Wilmington, MA from the Olin Chemical manufacturing facility, including the migration of NDMA into surrounding groundwater and the Wilmington drinking wells.
3. Describe the relationship between maternal exposure to NDMA and childhood cancer rates.

#3 Case Study_Toxicity of Chemicals
Upon successful completion of this case study, a student will be able to:
1. Recognize the toxicological hazards associated with NDMA, BEHP, and benzo(a)pyrene.
2. Describe how biotransformation influences the toxicity of a chemical entity, and specifically NDMA and other compounds associated with the Olin Superfund Site.

#4 Case Study_Current Status and Clean-up Efforts at the Olin Site
Upon successful completion of this case study, a student will be able to:
1. Describe the three Operable Units created to address clean-up efforts at the Olin Site.
2. Know the relationship between NDMA exposure and incidence of childhood cancer resulting from the associated epidemiological study.
3. Discuss the current status of the clean-up of the Olin Site.

#5 Case Study_Classroom Follow-up
Upon successful completion of this case study, a student will be able to:
1. Relate toxicology concepts to their use in a real-world situation (i.e., the Olin Superfund Site).
2. Discuss the EPA Superfund program relative to the social responsibility of the chemical community.
3. Find and discuss Superfund sites near your location.
Common pedagogies covered
Context-based learning
Problem-based learning
Time required (if applicable)
2 hours of class time

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Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
N/A
Teacher Recommendations or Piloting Data (if available)
Piloting data will be provided after Spring 2025.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.59877/FKOE3288
Other notes/information
Please refer to the lesson plan before using the case study units.

This resource was made possible with support to Beyond Benign from the NIH-NIEHS Superfund Research Program Grant P42-ES027707 (MIT Superfund Research Program). Any opinions, findings, and/or interpretations of data contained herein are the responsibility of the authors(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinions, interpretations, or policy of Beyond Benign and MIT Superfund Research Program.
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