Academic Courses
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Course Directory
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EOH 2013: Environmental Health & Disease
Lectures (PDF's)
- New! Occupational Health: Workplace Injuries & Diseases
- Lecture 1: Exposure Assessment, Conceptual Modeling, Biomonitoring & Environmental Regulations
- Lecture 2: Water Management, Our Public Health Crisis for the 21st Century? - Definitions, Scope, & a Causation Framework
- Lecture 3: Occupational Safety & Health, Radiation Physics & Health, & a Case Study of a DOE Radionuclide Waste Site – Amchitka Island, Alaska
EOH 2021: Special Studies
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Thesis Research
Fall, Spring, Summer Terms
By appointment
Course Description
Dr. Volz directs the Master's of Public Health thesis work of 5 students in areas of Exposure Assessment, Fate & Transport of Environmental Contaminants, & Risk Assessment.
EOH 2022: Special Topics
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Fall, Spring, Summer Terms
By appointment
Course Description
Dr. Volz guides students interested in specific topics related to the environmental health sciences in individual or small group study. This semester, Dr. Volz is working with groups of students interested in biomonitoring of fishes for pollution source identification as well as the development of conceptual site models for underwater unexploded ordinance in the Pacific Ocean.
EOH 2104: Introduction to Environmental & Occupational Health Law
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Spring Term, 2094
Tuesdays & Thursdays
2:30 - 4:20 pm, Room G-18
SENSQ
Course Description
This course will introduce students to environmental regulations & law as it relates to environmental disputes. The first half of this course will cover major state & national statutes designed to protect the environment. The second half of the course will immerse the student in environmental policy formulation, analysis, & evaluation.
Course Materials (PDF's)
- Class Syllabus
- Lecture 1: Exposure Assessment, Biomonitoring & Occupational/Environmental Regulations
- Lecture 2: Risk Based End State Land Uses for Contaminated Property
- Course Evaluation
EOH 2108: Environmental & Occupational Health Practicum
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Fall, Spring, & Summer Terms
By appointment
Course Description
Dr. Volz provides practicum experiences for MPH Graduate Students in Community Based-Participatory Environmental Research & Outreach Programs. Practicums are required for all MPH-EOH Students without direct Public Health work experience.
Dr. Volz measures volume of hole during metal-in-water sampling.
EOH 2122: Transport & Fate of Environmental Agents
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Spring Term, 09-10
5 - 6:20 p, A216 Crabtree Hall
Mondays & Wednesdays
Course Description
This course presents in a quantitative fashion the passage, transformation & eventual fate of various biological, chemical & physical agents through the environment, home & occupational settings. Included are consideration of atmospheric transport, surface & groundwater sediments, indoor transport & ventilation, chemical degradation, bioaccumulation & movement through food chains. The material is presented in an intuitive fashion rather than within a rigorously mathematical framework. This approach is intended to address students who may simply require a basic literacy in environmental transport & fate processes in addition to those who will ultimately be pursuing a degree in environmental science. The goal is to teach students from diverse backgrounds both to not only understand relevant concepts, but also be able to work quantitative problems, employing practical numerical models, dealing with the transport & fate of environmental agents. Class Syllabus»
Lectures (PDF's)
| Introduction & Physical Transport | |
| Free Energy & Chemical Equilibria | |
| Chemical Kinetics versus Equilibria | |
| Chemical Distribution Between Phases | |
| Chemical Partitioning to Solids & Fugacity | |
| Transport in Surface Waters | |
| Exchange of Volatiles Between Air & Water | |
| Practical Applications; A Chain of Causation: Regional Land & Water Management Problems to Tertiary Public Health, Social, & Economic Outcomes | |
| Dissolved Oxygen & Biotransformation | |
| Aerobic & Anaerobic Biodegradation of Organic Compounds, Modeling Biodegradation & Bioconcentration & Accumulation in Aquatic Organisms | |
| Abiotic Chemical Contaminants (Chapter 2) | |
| Additional Notes (Class 7): Oxidation-reduction for the Non-chemical Skeptic (Chapter 2) | |
| The Subsurface Environment & Physics of Groundwater Movement | |
| Retardation of Chemical Movement in Aquifers & Biodegradation of Chemicals in Aquifers & the Unsaturated Zone | |
| Injection Well Depo expert facts | |
| New! Dr. Shields - Fate & Transport of Contaminants in the Atmosphere I | |
| New! Dr. Shields 2 - Transport & Fate; Contaminants in the Atmosphere II | |
| New! Dr. Shields 3 - Global Climate Change | |
| New! Dr. Adams - Chemical Transport Modelings |
Dr. Volz hand catches Eider Ducks on Amchitka Island,
Aleutians, for Radionuclide Internal Dose Assessment.
EOH 2175: Principals of Toxicology
Guest Lecturer - Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Lecture(s) (PDF's)
- 11/2/09: Ecotoxicological Topics - Biomonitoring Aquatic Species for
Ecological Receptor Exposure,
Risk Assessment & as Sentinels for Human Exposure via Water Ingestion & Fish Consumption
EOH 2181: Risk Assessment
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Course Desription (PDF's)
Conceptual Site Modeling for Contaminated Site / Environmental & Occupational Health Exposure & Risk Assessment. Read more»
Additional Information: United Nations Environment Programme, International Labour Organisation, World Health Organization, International Programme on Chemical Safety — Human Exposure Assessment»
EOH 2504: Principles of Environmental Exposure
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Fall Term, 2091
Tuesdays & Thursdays
3-4:25 pm, Room A719 Crabtree Hall, GSPH
Course Description
We will explore the methods, models, concepts, calculations, statistics & theory necessary for the assessment of human & ecological exposure to contaminants & physical factors. Contaminants can include inorganic as well as organic species like elements, metals & metalloids, simple hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants (PCB’s, DDT). Physical factors include heat, & ionizing radiation. We will be particularly interested in understanding human exposure modes-inhalation, skin absorption & ingestion for toxic & carcinogenic substances-either through each mode separately or through each combination of exposure modes & also the modes of exposure for ionizing radiation-penetrating ionization paths or internal dose. We will explore the monitoring choices for exposure characterization in all environmental media, including air (personnel & area sampling), water & food sampling, soil & Superfund sampling & the use of human & ecological biomonitoring & biomarkers. Methodologies used to estimate exposure from these monitoring methods will be explored in depth. Students will be taught to understand the exposure sequence from source term, rate of release, transport through environmental media, concentration & mode(s) of exposure, internal dose & dose to specific organs. Finally ways to reduce exposure to both chemical contaminants & physical factors will be described.
Syllabus (PDF's)
- Original Syllabus
- Amended Syllabus (Added 11/2/2009)
New! Mid-term to final examination readings for class on risk-based remediation:
| The Role of the Exposure Assessment in Ensuring Sustainably Protective Containment of Residual Contamination | |
| End-State Land Uses, Sustainably Protective
Systems, & Risk Management: A Challenge for Remediation & Multigenerational Stewardship |
|
| Chemical process based reconstruction of exposures for an epidemiological study III. Analysis of industrial hygiene samples | |
| Dust: A Metric for Use in Residential & Building Exposure Assessment & Source Characterization |
|
| Monitoring Human Occupational & Environmental Exposures to Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds | |
| Current State of the Science: Health Effects & Indoor Environmental Quality | |
| Measurement Issues in Environmental Epidemiology | |
| Personalized Exposure Assessment: Promising Approaches for Human Environmental Health Research |
|
| PBTK Modeling Demonstrates Contribution of Dermal & Inhalation Exposure Components to End-Exhaled Breath Concentrations of Naphthalene |
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| The Relationship between Environmental Monitoring & Biological Markers in Exposure Assessment | |
| Biological Monitoring of Exposure: Trends & Key Developments | |
| Considerations for improving the accuracy of exposure to disinfection by-products by ingestion in epidemiologic studies |
Additional Information (PDF's)
- EPA Exposure Factors Handbook — Read»
- United Nations Environment Programme, International Labour Organisation, World Health Organization, International Programme on Chemical Safety, Environmental Health Criteria 214 — Read»
EPA Risk Assessment Guidelines (PDF's)
Lectures (PDF's)
| Review of Occupational / Environmental Health Regulations | |
| Conceptual Site Models - Methodologies to Depict & Evaluate Important Exposure Modes, from Source – to Media - to Receptor | |
| Uses of Human Exposure Data; Relationship of Exposure Assessment to the Risk Assessment Paradigm; & Exposure & Dose Defined (1) | |
| Exposure Assessment & Dose Defined (2) | |
| Addition to Lecture 4 -- New! -- | |
| Strategies for & Design of Exposure Assessment Studies | |
| Industrial Hygiene Sampling -- New! -- | |
| Biomonitoring Non-Human Species for Ecological Receptor Exposure & Risk Assessment & for Conceptual Model Verification & Using Area Fish to Aid in Pollution Source Identification & Assess Exposure to Xenoestrogens, Mercury & other Elements | |
| Exposure to Contaminants Via Water | |
| Chain of Causation Leading to Exposure to Contaminants from Surface Water &/or Groundwater | |
| Modeling of Environmental Phenomena for Assessing Exposure Drew Michanowicz, MPH |
|
| Exposure to Contaminants In Foods -- New!-- | |
| Assessment of Exposures to Airborne Contaminants | |
| Assessing Human Exposures with Biological Markers | |
| Health Effects from Drinking Water Contaminants -
Arsenic Aaron Barchowsky, PhD |
|
| Exposure to Ionizing Radiation -- New!-- | |
| Exposure Assessment - How much cleanup is necessary? Risk-Based End State Land Uses |
Student Presentations & Supporting Documents (PDF's)
Student |
Title | Documents (PDFs) |
| 2010 Presentations | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Estimated Exposure to Phthalates in Cosmetics & Risk | PwPt | Article |
|
Retrospective Exposure Assessment for Benzene in the Australian Petroleum Industry |
PwPt | Article |
|
Low-Level Environmental Lead Exposure & Children’s Intellectual Function - An International Pooled Analysis | PwPt | Article |
|
Cadmium, Environmental Exposure, & Health Outcomes | PwPt | Article |
|
Exposure to inorganic arsenic metabolites during early human development | PwPt | Article |
|
Variability of Exposure and Estimation of Cumulative Exposure in a Manually Operated Coal Mine |
PwPt | Article |
|
Adult & children's exposure to 2, 4-D from multiple sources & pathways | PwPt | Article |
|
Personal Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Residential Indoor Air | PwPt | Article |
|
Environmental Exposure To Endotoxin And Its Relation To Asthma In School-Age Children |
PwPt | Article |
|
Characterization of Phthalate Exposure among Pregnant Women Assessed by Repeat Air & Urine Samples | PwPt | Article |
|
Methylmercury exposure in a subsistence fishing community in Lake Chapala, Mexico: an ecological approach | PwPt | Article |
| 2009 Presentations | ||
|
Considerations for improving the accuracy of exposure to disinfection by-products by ingestion in epidemiologic studies | PwPt |  Abstract |
|
An Ecological Risk Assessment of the Acute & Chronic Effects of the Herbicide Clopyralid to Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) | PwPt | Article |
|
Current State of the Science: Health Effect & Indoor Environmental Quality | PwPt | Article |
|
PBTK Modeling Demonstrates Contribution of Dermal & Inhalation Exposure Components to End-Exhaled Breath Concentrations of Naphthalene | PwPt | Article |
|
Non-Cancer Health Risk Assessment from Exposure to Cyanide by Resident Adults from the Mining Operations of Bogoso Gold Limited in Ghana | PwPt | Article |
|
Dust: a metric for use in residential & building exposure assessment & source characterization | PwPt | Article |
|
Risk of Birth Defects in Australian Communities with High Levels of Brominated Disinfection By-products | PwPt | Article |
|
Dust: a metric for use in residential & building exposure assessment & source characterization | PwPt | Article |
|
Personalized Exposure Assessment: Promising Approaches for Human Environmental Health Research | PwPt | Article |
EOH 2515: Environmental & Occupational Health Preparedness
Guest Lecturer: Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
2011 Syllabus
Lectures (PDF's)
|
Development of Conceptual Site Models for Chemical/Physical Hazard Preparedness; Their Relationship to Contaminant Mass Balance & Exposure Assessment (C.D. Volz) |
|
Center for National Preparedness, Univ. of Pittsburgh Seminar Series! "The Road Less Taken: Modularization & Waterways as a Domestic Disaster Response Mechanism" - Don Donahue, DHEd., FACHE Senior Fellow & Executive Director Center for Health Policy & Preparedness, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM (Reception to follow) Location: 5th floor Alumni Hall – Room 532 (Preparedness Students meet Dr.’s Pitt & Volz at Alumni Hall) |
|
Exposure to Ionizing Radiation - Types & Effects (C.D. Volz) |
|
Putting it All Together: Atomic & Thermonuclear Devices versus Dirty Bombs - Case Study of the Amchitka Radionuclide Baseline Study of 2004 (C.D. Volz) |
|
Guest Speaker: Tony Gaglierd, Allegheny County Health Department "Environmental Emergency Response" — Movie (WMV) |
Introduction to Initial Lectures
Lectures 1, 2, & 4 are a series to introduce environmental & occupational health concepts of conceptual site models, exposure assessment & mass balance in a preparedness context. The hazard that will be explored is ionizing radiation. This will conclude with an analysis of the likelihood of non-state sponsored nuclear terrorism from atomic & thermonuclear devices versus conventional high explosives combined with radionuclides (dirty bombs) & the development of a conceptual model of likely exposures from the explosion of a dirty bomb.
Readings & Lecture Reviews for Lectures 1, 2, & 4
- ASTM Conceptual Model Document
- Volz, C, Powers C, Burger J, Kosson D, Gochfeld M, Friedlander B, Barnes D, Bliss L, Jewett S, Johnson M, Stabin M, Unsworth M, Vyas V, & Horsch J. 2006. The CRESP Amchitka expedition: a model for multi- & interdisciplinary research into radionuclide contamination of the marine environment. In F. Linkov & R. LaPorte (Eds.), Scientific networking & the global health supercourse. NATO Security through Science Series D: Information & Communication Security-Vol. 5, Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press.
- Tomljanovic C & Volz CD. 2007. Modeling Munitions & Explosives of Concern (MEC) CBRN Hazards: Novel Tools & Approaches for Strengthening the Conceptual Site Model for Public Health Preparedness. In Calpinskiene M, Cummings C, Gudzenko N, Gursky E, Linkov F, Rossodivita A, Shubnikov E, Stikova E, Trufanov A, Volz CD (Eds). Strengthening national public health preparedness & response for chemical, biological, & radiological agent threats. Springer-NATO Advanced Science Institute Series, IOS Press – Nieuwe 6B, 1013 BG Amsterdam, Netherlands. GoogleBooks
- Click here. Read sections 1.2 & 1.3 of World Health Organization, Environmental Health Criteria 214 on exposure assessment. Review complete Lecture 2 (Conceptual Site Models - Methodologies to Depict & Evaluate Important Exposure Modes, from Source – to Media - to Receptor) & Lecture 14 (Exposure to Ionizing Radiation).
Student Presentations
- Capece T, Oetting A, Sharma R, Martin-Gill C, & Winters S. (2010). Three Mile Island. EOH 2515: Environmental & Occupational Health Preparedness. PDF
EOH 3010: Research & Dissertation
Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH
Fall, Spring, & Summer Terms
By appointment
Course Description
Dr. Volz directs the research & dissertation studies of students in the DrPH & PhD Programs in Environmental Health.
View Maxine-Walters' disseration on: "Concentrations of Pharmaceutical Estrogens & Xenoestrogens in Surface Water"- PDF
Volz as Major Advisor for Graduate Student Essays, Theses, & Dissertations
Organized by Date of Completion | * Denotes Volz served on commitee
Student |
Date | Status & Dept. | Type of Document & Title |
| Ongoing | DrPH Student, EOH, GSPH | Coming soon... | |
Marion Sikora |
Ongoing | PhD Student, Univ. Pitt. | Department of Geology & Planetary Science |
Chuck Tomjanovic, MPH, MS |
Ongoing | PhD Student, EOH, GSPH | Coming soon... |
Lara Hyler, DrPH, MPH |
5/15/11 | DrPH, EOH, GSPH | Doctoral Dissertation: Determination of Parabens & Bisphenol-A in Fish Brains from Combined Sewer Overflows: Environmental Public Policy Implications of Emerging Contaminants on Water Quality |
Chuck Tomjanovic, MPH, MS |
12/15/10 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay Completed & Published: Modeling Munitions & Explosives of Concern (MEC) CBRN Hazards: Novel Tools & Approaches for Strengthening the Conceptual Site Model for Public Health Preparedness. NATO Security through Science Series. PDF |
Ryan Button, MPH* |
4/15/10 | MPH, BCHS, GSPH | The Marcellus Shale & Public Health. PDF |
Greer Tiver, MPH* |
4/15/10 | MPH, BCHS, GSPH | Master's Thesis: Environmental Threat Perception in Southwest PA: A Qualitative Study of Local Expert Opinion. PDF |
Shannon Kearney, MPH, CPH |
4/15/10 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: Policy Options to Mitigate River Mining Environmental Effects on the Allegheny River. PDF |
Jon McDowell, MPH |
12/15/09 | MPH, GSPH | Note: Helped to develop the research question & sat at qualifying examination. |
Ali Matinrazm, MD, MPH |
12/15/09 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: Occupational Noise Problems in Developing Countries |
Zb Boreman, MPH* |
8/1/09 | MPH, Biostat, GSPH | Master’s Thesis: Analysis of Mercury & Arsenic in Channel Catfish Fish Flesh By Location, Gender, Size: A Risk Assessment for Mercury from Fish Consumption |
| 8/1/09 | MPH, BCHS, GSPH | Master’s Thesis: Environmental Health Information on the Internet: Development of an Appropriate Website Evaluation Tool. PDF | |
Maxine Wright- |
4/25/09 | PhD, EOH, GSPH | Doctoral Dissertation: Exposure Concentrations Of Pharmaceutical Estrogens & Xenoestrogens In Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sources, The Aquatic Environment & An Aquatic Hazard Assessment Of Bisphenol-A: Implications For Wildlife & Public Health. Link |
| 4/25/09 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: Community-Driven Research: Effluent Characterization Of Legacy Contamination Containing Trace Metals In A Basic Outfall Entering The Allegheny River Near Cadogan, PA. PDF | |
Suzanne Mamrose, MPH |
4/25/09 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: Assessing Effectiveness Of Educational Interventions On Subpopulations Of Primary Caretakers From Pittsburgh Environmental Asthma Study Based On KAB Survey Scores |
Suphagaphan Ratanamaneechat, |
4/25/09 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: Occupational Asthma: Prevention & A Review Of Common Causative Agents |
Malcolm Murray, MPH |
4/25/09 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: A Comparison Of Water Quality Variables & Concentrations Of Selected Toxic & Nuisance Elements At Various Distances & Depths Downstream From Allegheny River Gravel Mining Operations During Periods Of Activity & Inactivity |
April Carman, MPH* |
4/25/09 | MPH, BCHS, GSPH | Master’s Thesis: Ambient Toxic Releases & Adverse Birth Outcomes In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Link |
Shannon Raub, MPH* |
4/25/09 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: A Discussion On The Effect Of Ionizing Radiation On Plants & Subsequent Consequences To Public Health |
Laura Hyler, MPH* |
11/1/08 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master’s Essay: A Critique of Occupational Ionizing Radiation Regulations in the United States |
Katie Philp, MPH* |
4/25/08 | MPH, BCHS, GSPH | Master's Thesis: Low Cost Water Quality Interventions for the Prevention of Diarrheal Disease. Link |
Diana Lenzner, MS* |
8/1/07 | MS, Biostat, GSPH | Master's Thesis: Are Tissue of Channel Catfish More Estrogenic in Areas with High Densities of Combined Seward Overflows?. Link |
Xiaohui Xu, MD, PhD* |
8/1/07 | PhD, Epi, GSPH | PhD Dissertation: Linking Environmental Exposures & Health Effects: Using Existing Data to Explore the Relationships Between Environment & Chronic Diseases. Link |
Susan Bealko, MPH* |
4/25/07 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: Evaluation of Noise Levels in Mine Trucks |
Suphagaphan Ratanamaneechat, MD, MPH* |
4/25/07 | MPH, EOH, GSPH | Master's Essay: An assessment of metals in fish in the vicinity of the Springdale Reliant Energy Coal-Fired Electrical Plant |
* = Served on Commitee | |||
Advisor for Undergraduate Senior Thesis, Independent Thesis & Senior Practicum (Allegheny River Stewardship Project)
Student |
School / Department | Advisement Type | Date |
Amelia Johnson |
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Geology & Planetary Science | Undergraduate thesis committee | Anticipated: 5/7/2010 |
Andreal Bowser |
Chatham University (4 Credits) | May Externship Semester Bio 498, May 2008 & Advisor-Senior Project Tutorial Bio 499 2009 Proposal (PDF)» | 2008-2009 |
Benjamin Schultz |
West Virginia University (3 credits) Dept. of Forestry & Conservation | Environmental Studies Division, Allegheny | Summer 2008 |
Sophia Good |
University of Pittsburgh, Environmental Studies, Depart. of Geology | Senior Internship (credit internship) | Summer 2008 |
Andrea Glassmire |
University of Pittsburgh, Depart. of Biology | Senior Internship Requirement, ARSP (non-credit internship) | Summer 2008 |
Sierra Laventure-Volz |
University of Rochester, Department of Political Science | ARSP (non-credit internship) | Summer 2008 |
Kyle Ferrar, MPH |
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biology (9 credits) | Directed Study, Fish as Sentinels for Water Pollution |
Mentoring Graduate Students in Field Placements (MPH Students Only)
Listed Alphabetically.
Student |
Degree & Department | Practicum Site (Agency/Organization Location) | Date |
Ryan Button, MPH |
MPH, BCHS, GSPH | CHEC, Marcellus Shale Frac Water Hazards | Spring-Summer 2009 |
Shannon Kearney, MPH, CPH |
MPH, EOH, GSPH, Risk Assessment Certificate | PA Environmental Council, River Mining Mitigation Techniques - Poster (PDF)» |
Summer-Fall 2009 |
Suzanne Mamrose, MPH |
MPH, EOH, GSPH | Healthy Home Resources Asthma Study | Spring-Summer, 2007-2008 |
Drew Michanowicz, MPH, CPH |
MPH, EOH, GSPH | PA Department of Environmental Protection, Southwestern PA Office & Field Work | Summer 2007-2008 |
Batsirai T. Mutetwa, MPH |
MPH, Epi, Global Health Certificate '08, GSPH | CHEC's Allegheny River Stewardship Project (ARSP) | Spring-Summer, 2007-2008 |
Suphagaphan Ratanamaneechat, MD, MPH |
MPH, Occupational Medicine, GSPH | CHEC's ARSP | Summer 2007-2008 |
Greer Tiver, MPH |
MPH, BCHS, GSPH Schweitzer Fellow |
CHEC, Regional Environmental Threat Analysis | Fall 2009 |
Chuck Tomjanovic, MPH |
EOH, MPH, GSPH | CTC Incorporated, Modeling of Sites Contaminated by Unexploded Ordinance - PowerPoint (PDF)» | Fall 2009 |
