Tl , ..c . ltrcittt ariallgb.i4n VOLUME XXXV NO. 6 Seventy-three Die In Research Experiment By Laura Seman Seventy-three sprague-dawley out-breed albino male rats died in a research experiment conducted over the summer. Seven seniors and graduates participated in a research ex periment over the summer. The research project dealt with the toxicity of plastics commonly found in residential usage. Under the advisorship of Professor Louis Balmer of the Engineering and Science Division of Behrend, the research was conducted for the National Science Foundation. The researchers received a Grant of 13,300 for the project. Ann Wykoff, Project Director, stated that in order to receive a Grant you must first send in a Grant Proposal. A Grant Proposal states exactly what the research and experiment entales, the procedure used, the time involved, the number of people involved, who they are, their explicit duties, and their qualifications. The proposal itself took numerous hours of library research-and'mts - -sent-in-a before the grant was actually received. The first topic discussed was fire. But since fire is a very broad topic it had to be narrowed down to a more specific area. One reason that the toxicity of plastics was chosen was because the facilities and equipment available here at Behrend was limited, for the researchers to work with, and Anne Wykoff, having worked in the plastic industry as chairman of the safety committee in a local plastics company was especially interested in this topic. The research was conducted by Elizabeth Angotti-Project Engineer currently at- Main Prevention Conference Set For. Nov. 5-7 Erie will be the site of the first State-wide conference on Primary Prevention on November 5,6, and 7, 1979. Some 400 Human Service professionals, administrators, education and medical personnel, and others will aid in development and promotion of prevention efforts. The conference will target key areas at the local community, state, and federal levels. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Thomas F.A. Plaut, special assistant to the director, National Institute of Mental Health. Sponsored by the Primary Prevention Task Force of the Youth Services Coordinating Council, Junior League of Erie, Erie County Office of Mental Health, and The Governor's Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, this landmark conference is designed to foster cooperation and coordination among federal, state, and local human service professionals in the area of prevention. Primary Prevention, as defined by Dr. Stephen Goldston and Dr: Donald Klein, recognized experts -in the field of primary prevention, includes activities directed at, enhancing as well as Published by the Students of the Behrend College of the Pennsylvania State University ..,-.„ „:„4„.:,,,,... ,„ . „.„ ....„.., rip is t . ...,,,,•„,,, 4 - ..,,,,,,,..„.....c. ~... . . kiti r''' V. 6 „; .1,1 iii, oAtifOlo Campus, Robert Beckwith, a Biology Graduate, Anthony Ignocheck, a Biology and Chemistry major, a senior at Behrend, Cathy Wantz, a Biology Graduate and • also a Certified Laboratory Assistant. Anne Wykoff-Project Director, a Chemistry and Psychology major and also a senior at Behrend, Suzan Zajaczkowski-Associate promoting positive social, physical and psychological well being of the entire community; but often must be directed to particular at-risk population and focused in specific develop mental and-or life stages. The term does not include activities related to treatment or rehabilitation. The Primary Prevention Task Force of the Youth Services Coodinating Council and the Junior League of Erie have been working together for more than two years to develop a collaborative Inter-Agency -Community Model of Community Based Programming focusing on Primary Prevention. Such efforts have resulted in professional workshops, seminars and lec tures, a completed needs assessment, and a beginning library of relevant materials on prevention. The Sponsors of the Primary Prevention State Conference welcome the participation of Human Service professionals, Medical Personnel, Administrators, educators, students or anyone interested in participating in or learning about prevention efforts. Cost for the full Conference, is $35.00. For further information concerning the Conference, contact the Youth Services Coordinating Council, 421 Baldwin Building, 1001, State Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 3.6501.. TelePhoiie: Station Road, Erie, Pa. 16563 LEM Suzan ZajaczkOwski. Anthony Ignocheck and Anne Wykoff pictured above. Director, a Psychology Graduate with a degree in Operating Room Technology, Michelle Lackovic, a Chemistry major and Murry Baker, Vincent Presta, and Teri Wright as technical consultants. The title of the experiment is "Thermal Degradation of Polymers in Combination: Synergistic Effects on Laboratory Rats." They conducted the experiment by exposing rats to byproducts of combinations of three-household plastics. Byproducts are the gases given off when plastics are exposed to gradually increasing heat but not actually ignited. The experimenters hypothisized that death of the rats was caused by exposure to the toxic fumes of varying combinations of the plastics. They stated that combinations of plastics are more lethal than any single plastic alone due to chemical interaction. Going To Scandinavia? New York, N.Y. (Scandinavian Courses students and staff meet Seminar)-Scandinavian Seminar to discuss the year's studies and is now accepting aplications experiences and to review in for its 1980-81 academic year dividual progress and language abroad in Denmark, Finland, ability. Norway .or Sweden. This unique An independent study project learning experience is designed provides a focus for an in-depth for college students; graduates study in each participants own and other adults who want to field of interest. On the basis study in a Scandinavian country, ,of a detailed written evaluation of - becoming part of another culture their work, most college students and learning its language. receive or partial academic After orientation and a 3-week credit for their year. intensive language-course, often The fee, covering tuition, room, followed by a family stay. board, and all course-connected students are placed individually travels in Scandinavia, is $4,900. at Scandinavian folk schools Inter es t-free loans are granted on (small residential liberal arts - the basis of need, as are a few schools) or other - specialized partial scholarships. institutions. There they live and For further information, please study with Scandinavians of write to: SCANDINAVIAN • diverse backgrounds. At the SEMINA4, ;08, East. B.sth ,Street, •A.Semintarls Nevi , York- -61 •W il Some of the byproducts in cluded Vinyl Chloride Gas, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Chloride, and Hydrogen Cyanide. The purpose of the experiment was to show that the inordinate number of fire deaths in this country compared to the rest of the world is substantially high. Most deaths attributed to residential fires are classified as due to smoke inhalation. Smoke inhalation of the same toxic fumes used in this experiment. American households, with numerous synthetic items are apparently responsible for the higher per capita death rate due to fumes. Some of the numerous synthetic items, that give off toxic fumes when ignited are; television sets with polystyrene cabinets, vinyl sofas with polyvinyl chloride coverings with polyurethane filling, plastic tables, laundry baskets, and childrens toys. October 25, 1979 Prior research has shown that fires involving plastics produce vastly more toxic atmospheres than those involving natural materials such as cotton and wood. They do not suggest that you rid your house of all plastic items, but when purchasing an item, consider an alternate made of a natural material. They may be more expensive but alot safer. The researchers are presently working on data analysis. In December Anne Wykoff and Suzan Zajaczkowski will present the research finding at the National Science Foundation Annual Symposum in Washington D. C. Research compiled with all Federal and State Regulations concerning Animal Research and Experimentation. Note: The deceased rats were originally from Charlesriver, -Mass. Names are being withhelf pending notification of next of kin. Scholarship Information If you've checked out the costs of college and have second thoughts about whether you can afford it don't give up hope. If you have the goods or leadership potential, you may be eligible for - a full time Army ROTC tuition scholarship to Bebrend College. And if you are already in college and finding the financial going rough, you still might qualify for a two or three year Army ROTC schOlarship. Besides full tuition, you receive up to one thousand dollars in living allowances each year the scholarship is in effect, plus books, lab fees, and other benefits. Find out if you qualify. Call Cpt. Bob Schneider at 8994- '.1028 or ext.'2lB. - 11111 1 PW # iZE
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