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Dr. Kevin Pyatt Eastern Washington University Department of Education

=A Problem-based Case Study=

Introduction/Background
The case investigates a medical facility that is suspected to have elevated lead levels in the water supply. The scenario is that the student oversees an analytical laboratory that has been hired to investigate whether or not a medical facility has elevated lead levels in the water supply. Water samples are collected, and analyzed and the analytical lab will makes a decision about what to do next. If elevated lead levels are found, the lab will need to prescribe treatment recommendations. The case finishes with a final analysis of the lab's treatment plan in terms of its effectiveness.

Objectives
Throughout this case, the learner will accomplish the following:


 * 1) Become familiar with the procedures and processes involved in water quality testing (esp. as it relates to heavy metal concentration).
 * 2) Use gravimetric analysis data to calculate lead levels of given water samples.
 * 3) Become familiar with and aware of the health risks, causes, symptoms, and sources of lead exposure.
 * 4) Be able to differentiate between safe lead levels and unsafe lead levels in various water samples.
 * 5) Prepare a mitigation treatment plan for a specific water supply shown to have elevated lead levels in the water supply.
 * 6) Evaluate and defend the effectiveness of the mitigation plan based on water quality samples taken from contaminated site.

=Let's begin ... =