Investigating Lead Levels in Trenton, New Jersey: A Local Study on Environmental Health
In the heart of New Jersey, Princeton University's Community-Based Learning Initiative is making a significant difference in Trenton, one of the poorest cities in the state, grappling with a serious and systemic lead problem.
Alec Getraer, the Natural Sciences Correspondent, delves into a unique reading course that focuses on ecology and its local impact. The course, GEO 360, offers students the opportunity to provide chemical analyses of tap-water, paint, and soil for low-income residents of Trenton.
The Pace Center, a hub for community engagement at Princeton, provides numerous opportunities for students to connect with the local community.
While lead paint was banned in 1978 and the installation of lead piping was discontinued in the mid 1980's, lead remains ubiquitous in Trenton, where 90% of homes and buildings were constructed prior to these bans. The student's class, working alongside Isles, a non-profit Trenton organization, collected samples, measured paint and soil lead, analyzed tap-water samples, and helped identify at-risk homes for lead paint remediation and/or water filters.
The course, found in the section "Research-based Courses", offers a compelling combination of research and service, providing students with a meaningful way to assist the local community. It is just one of the many wide-ranging options available to apply academic pursuits to helping others, no matter what the student is studying.
It's worth noting that, while specific details about the course or its ecology focus are not provided, the University is actively working to expand service-based course offerings. For the latest updates on service-based courses for the Spring semester, students are advised to consult Princeton University’s official Community-Based Learning Initiative website or the university’s course registrar.
The article concludes with a nod to the art of course planning, as students balance research and academics to make a real impact in their communities. Another article in the same section, titled "Reading Courses: A Guide", offers insights into other reading courses available at Princeton. However, no new facts about the student or the organization they worked with, or any new findings or results from the student's class work, are mentioned in this article.
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