Community Access
to Environmental Chemical Analysis
Professor Joseph A. Gardella, Jr, PI
Department of Chemistry
A project sponsored by the
Environment and Society Institute (ESI)
SUNY Buffalo
Professor Errol M. Meidinger, Director
Background and History of community and projects, Goals and Summary of the Studies
Can Public Participation work in pollution prevention and environmental control in neighborhoods with industry and residents in close proximity?
What role does the University and local government have in helping stakeholders communicate and make decisions?
Can the University contribute specifically to Responsible Care™ cooperative community approaches with public education, facilitation and information which can empower community based stakeholders?
Can Community Based Research methods be applied to this type of environmental chemical analysis?
What role do academics and local government have in mediating input from state and federal agencies in local and community issues?
Can Public Service Learning provide a vehicle for sophisticated technical input into communities?
How do we integrate training of students, community members and industry participants in communication, technical jargon and concepts, planning, technical results, decision making for technical environmental programs?
Can team based field studies be managed as a cooperative learning approach for technical studies in the University?
Human Resources: Vehicles for Action
Multidisciplinary Teams of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Studies, Geology, Geography, Environmental (Civil) Engineering students in Chemistry 470 "Analytical Chemistry of Pollution" course, a senior course using case studies, field studies and cooperative learning methods (J. A. Gardella, Jr., faculty member)
Research students at the senior and masters (graduate) level in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental studies, environmental science and engineering, geology, science education in semesters when the course is not taught
Community consultants (SBK Environmental Research), Environmental laboratories and consulting firms (E3 Killam, Ecology and Environment, Inc.), State Agencies (NYS Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation)
Local Government - City of Buffalo Office for the Environment, Common Council Staff, Erie County Office of Planning and Environment
Local Industry - Buffalo Color Corporation, AlliedSignal Buffalo Research Laboratory, PVS Chemical
Community Groups - Seneca Babcock Community Association, Valley Community Association, South Buffalo Community Awareness, Seneca Babcock Good Neighbor Committee, Environmental Subcommittee
Informal Public Education about Environmental Issues
Stakeholder Organizational Leadership and Trust/Communication
Balance and Independence in Determining Results, Conclusion and consultation on project design and interpretations.