1. Unit I Discussion Board Question Describe the concept 'environmental technology' especially as this term relates to alleviating environmental problems related to water supply, waste management, and pollution control. Give some examples. 2. Reply to this post : The concept of environmental technology relates to the application of technology, such as the principles used in the designing of and engineering ways to eliminate, control, or manage pollutants and toxins in a water supply system, such as breaking down (introduction of special toxin-eating bacteria) and managing toxins in a controlled environment or preventing such toxins and wastes from entering water supply systems/waterways. Engineering solutions within the planning of waste management systems to break down toxins and wastes into manageable and usable waste material that can be safely used in other environments (such as transforming wastes into manageable fertilizers) or even non-toxic water for use in crop irrigation, or transformation into solid waste that can be recycled into other products, or easily disposed of. Toxins and wastes can be broken down and managed before they have the chance to pollute water systems (above or below ground; poisoning water supplies), or the air (in the form of sulfur dioxide) that transforms into a toxic acid rain. In summary, environmental technology is simply the use of scientific and engineering principles that can be used to design out toxins and wastes; engineer containments and systems of containment; substitution of toxins or waste; using administrative controls to isolate the toxins or waste from people, and design ways to protect the workers who manage or dispose of the toxins or waste. 3. Unit I Discussion Board Question Discuss why a knowledge of the field of chemistry might be important to an emergency responder. Give some examples to support any arguments you present to the class. 4. Reply to post : My name is Jerrie Bryant and I live in Northwest Arkansas. I am currently working as a Safety Specialist at OK FOODS which is a chicken production facility. I am in my last term of my bachelor's degree for Safety and Occupational Health Management. After I complete my degree I plan on continuing to work at my current place of employment and am thinking about pursing a Masters degree. I believe that chemistry is a good area for emergency responders to be knowledgeable in due to possibly having to respond to a chemical release or for a truck wreck which may have chemicals on board. Emergency responders need to know how to identify the chemicals and what methods will need to be used to clean up the chemical and the protective equipment which they would need to wear dealing with the chemicals.