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Open university course on environmental control and public health
Atmospheric
Environment Vol. 10, pp. 104-1042.
Pergamon
Press 1976. Printed in Great Britain
REVIEW PAPER OPEN UNIVERSITY CONTROL
COURSE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH G.
CORBEL*
57 Woodley Lane, Romsey, Hampshire SOS 8JR, U.K. (First received 14 July 1976 and inJina1 form 12 August 1976) Abstract-This well structured 32 week course, first given in 1975, covers water supplies, purification of domestic and industrial effluents, waste disposal to land and by recycling, noise and air pollution. Simple apparatus is suppiied for measurements at home of noise levels and contaminants in water and air. Although written for adults without any academic qualifications it provides at some depth a general understanding of current problems. It has been well received and the number of students doubled in 1976 to nearly 1000. It will be valuable for aspirants to Health Administrations and even to specialist readers of this journal. British legislation and regulations are covered in some detail. More attention should be given to the problems of designers of industrial plant and processes since effective legislation can only follow proved technological solutions.
The ground to be covered by this new course was given in this journal, June 1974, p. iv. The cost in 1976 was 675. The Open University was established by Parliament in 1969 as an alternative form of higher education; former prime minister Harold Wilson regards it as one of his major achievements. Courses are open to students over 21 without any previous qualifications such as the General Certificate of Education required by London University before starting to study for external degrees on specific subjects. These qualifications are, in effect, obtained by ‘credits’ in foundation courses--for this course PT272 a credit, or equivalent, is required in an elementary science course. Six full credits are required for a B.A. degree; Honours are awarded for a few advanced courses. Many courses, such as PT272, are only awarded 4 credits; a few short courses earn f or 6 credit. As the number of courses taken in any one year is Iimited it takes at least 3 years to obtain a degree. Reading plus essay writing time is expected to be at least 12 hours per week. The number of students is now around 58000; they are supported by 6000 part-time staff. Records are kept on computers. The difference between O.U. teaching and that by correspondence colleges is substantial. The latter use notes on‘existing textbooks to get students through London external and many professional examinations, e.g. in law and engineering; there is no ‘face to face’ contact between tutors and students at tutorials nor between students in self-help study groups. The O.U., on the other hand, issues its own specially written texts, equivalent to lectures, as well as requiring students to read parts of specified inexpensive set books which they must purchase. (The second most * Dr. Nonhebel is one of the tutors for this course. AZ. 10/12--e
expensive set of books-for course A202 ‘The Age of Revolutions, 1760-1850’ costs E24 for 19 books (1976). Texts are supplemented by TV and radio programmes, 25min duration, broadcast twice, early evenings and rnor~n~; notes such as tables of figures, are supplied. Cassettes for some programmes are available by arrangement for viewing and hearing at some study centres. There are 250 of these study centres at Universities and Technical Colleges where students can attend a few tutorials (voluntary), can discuss general matters with ‘Counsellors’ and can meet in self-help study groups. Students may also write or telephone their tutors for assistance. There are compulsory one week summer schools for some courses (not for PT272); these are residential at 12 Universities. As a course proceeds students are expected to answer computer marked questions and essay questions for marking and comment by course tutors (20-30 students per tutor) followed at end of year by an examination held at a local centre. Students taking scientific and technological courses are sent kits of apparatus for measurements at home, preferably in kitchen, or in the field. They are expected to write up at least one set of measurements and these also are marked by their tutors. To ensure uniformity of marking a proportion of tutor markings are monitored. Credit passes are awarded on the results of the examination together with the best three out of four grades for tutor and computer markings. I have been able to assess this PT272 course under review by being a tutor for students living within 50 miles of Southampton, 18 in 1975 and 23 in 1976. Their background covered a wide range-several levels of technicians, school teachers and college lecturers, trainee health inspectors, health visitors; also a mature solicitor, physician and Defence Service
1042
G. NONHEBEL
officer. The tutorial comments have therefore to match their background, but the marking remains absolute. All have commented that they found the texts interesting and not too difficult. Comments received by the O.U. from other tutors, mostly from higher education establishments, have praised the course and it is to be used to supplement one college course. The initial intake of students for 1975 of nearly 500 has been nearly doubled for 1976, presumably by recommendation. The course starts by explaining the balance of life between land, water and air and the damage to them by disposal of wastes from all sources. The slow growth of effective Public Health and similar legislation is illustrated by an account of the water-borne cholera epidemics in London around 1850 and an excellent broadcast on Clean Air Success To-day. Thereafter the texts cover (i) water supply and purification, including some geology (ii) refuse disposal and recycling of solid wastes (iii) purification of sewage and industrial liquid effluents (iv) noise (v) air pollution. (vi) planning: areas of concern. This ground is covered in 16 well illustrated and printed Units of text (1050 pp) accompanied by supplements containing some extracts of recent papers and notes on 8 TV and 16 radio programmes; these last are not compulsory. The TV programmes obviously bring to life subjects which most students would not otherwise see, even those living in industrial areas. The boxes of home experiment kits contain apparatus for measurement of (i) rainfall (ii) dissolved oxygen by Ag-Pb electrode, (iii) pH, NH*, Cl ions by calorimeter (iv) sound intensity in dB (v) smoke and SOz. The instructions are clearly written for those unused to laboratory techniques; an assistant is desirable for outdoor surveys of rivers, noise and smoke all of which would take several hours. Students are required to write up at least one set of measurements. Marks are not deducted when apparatus failed as sometimes occurred with electrics; it is the ability to observe and report that matters. The Units on Air Pollution give an account of gaseous and particulate emissions, their measurement and some of their chemical reactions. The effects on people, animals, vegetation and materials are de-
scribed. Dispersion under various meteorological conditions is discussed in a simple way. Details are then given of the administrative control of air pollution in England from AD 852 (the English invented air pollution?) up to the Control of Pollution Act, 1974, and the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974. A good account of the Rijmond air pollution monitoring in Holland gives the background to some recent papers in this Journal (cf. Vol 10, 1). A criticism is that the problems of factory designers are not discussed. A lengthy account is given of a Public Planning Inquiry in 1966 on a proposal to build a further large (Fletton) brickworks in Buckinghamshire. The objectionable emissions were S02,S03, smoke, noxious rubbery type smell (possibly unsaturated sulphur-containing hydrocarbon) and fluorides (affecting cattle, vegetation, trees and people). This example was probably chosen because the Open University campus at Milton Keynes is 4 km NW of the proposed works. The evidence I gave at the Inquiry is quoted at some length. It is unfortunate that this case was used because the treatment of dispersion has since been greatly improved and there is also much more quantitative information on the effects of pollutants; in consequence the evidence is not consistent with the up-to-date text. The information given in this course is superior to that in any of the numerous semi-popular books written during the past few years by authors who have not done their homework and have not tackled so many facets of the Environment. Some of the questions set for computer and tutor marking will make scientific readers think hard; students, however, are only expected to provide answers deducable from the text. Most of the contributors and readers of this journal would benefit by being made aware of this overview of the technical and legal problems of environmental pollution in a single connected publication, especially those outwith their own specialisations. It could also be valuable to their ,junior staff and might interest their families. The course units and the equipment may be obtained from the Marketing Division, The Open University, P.O. Box 81, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AT.
Environment Vol. 10, pp. 104-1042.
Pergamon
Press 1976. Printed in Great Britain
REVIEW PAPER OPEN UNIVERSITY CONTROL
COURSE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH G.
CORBEL*
57 Woodley Lane, Romsey, Hampshire SOS 8JR, U.K. (First received 14 July 1976 and inJina1 form 12 August 1976) Abstract-This well structured 32 week course, first given in 1975, covers water supplies, purification of domestic and industrial effluents, waste disposal to land and by recycling, noise and air pollution. Simple apparatus is suppiied for measurements at home of noise levels and contaminants in water and air. Although written for adults without any academic qualifications it provides at some depth a general understanding of current problems. It has been well received and the number of students doubled in 1976 to nearly 1000. It will be valuable for aspirants to Health Administrations and even to specialist readers of this journal. British legislation and regulations are covered in some detail. More attention should be given to the problems of designers of industrial plant and processes since effective legislation can only follow proved technological solutions.
The ground to be covered by this new course was given in this journal, June 1974, p. iv. The cost in 1976 was 675. The Open University was established by Parliament in 1969 as an alternative form of higher education; former prime minister Harold Wilson regards it as one of his major achievements. Courses are open to students over 21 without any previous qualifications such as the General Certificate of Education required by London University before starting to study for external degrees on specific subjects. These qualifications are, in effect, obtained by ‘credits’ in foundation courses--for this course PT272 a credit, or equivalent, is required in an elementary science course. Six full credits are required for a B.A. degree; Honours are awarded for a few advanced courses. Many courses, such as PT272, are only awarded 4 credits; a few short courses earn f or 6 credit. As the number of courses taken in any one year is Iimited it takes at least 3 years to obtain a degree. Reading plus essay writing time is expected to be at least 12 hours per week. The number of students is now around 58000; they are supported by 6000 part-time staff. Records are kept on computers. The difference between O.U. teaching and that by correspondence colleges is substantial. The latter use notes on‘existing textbooks to get students through London external and many professional examinations, e.g. in law and engineering; there is no ‘face to face’ contact between tutors and students at tutorials nor between students in self-help study groups. The O.U., on the other hand, issues its own specially written texts, equivalent to lectures, as well as requiring students to read parts of specified inexpensive set books which they must purchase. (The second most * Dr. Nonhebel is one of the tutors for this course. AZ. 10/12--e
expensive set of books-for course A202 ‘The Age of Revolutions, 1760-1850’ costs E24 for 19 books (1976). Texts are supplemented by TV and radio programmes, 25min duration, broadcast twice, early evenings and rnor~n~; notes such as tables of figures, are supplied. Cassettes for some programmes are available by arrangement for viewing and hearing at some study centres. There are 250 of these study centres at Universities and Technical Colleges where students can attend a few tutorials (voluntary), can discuss general matters with ‘Counsellors’ and can meet in self-help study groups. Students may also write or telephone their tutors for assistance. There are compulsory one week summer schools for some courses (not for PT272); these are residential at 12 Universities. As a course proceeds students are expected to answer computer marked questions and essay questions for marking and comment by course tutors (20-30 students per tutor) followed at end of year by an examination held at a local centre. Students taking scientific and technological courses are sent kits of apparatus for measurements at home, preferably in kitchen, or in the field. They are expected to write up at least one set of measurements and these also are marked by their tutors. To ensure uniformity of marking a proportion of tutor markings are monitored. Credit passes are awarded on the results of the examination together with the best three out of four grades for tutor and computer markings. I have been able to assess this PT272 course under review by being a tutor for students living within 50 miles of Southampton, 18 in 1975 and 23 in 1976. Their background covered a wide range-several levels of technicians, school teachers and college lecturers, trainee health inspectors, health visitors; also a mature solicitor, physician and Defence Service
1042
G. NONHEBEL
officer. The tutorial comments have therefore to match their background, but the marking remains absolute. All have commented that they found the texts interesting and not too difficult. Comments received by the O.U. from other tutors, mostly from higher education establishments, have praised the course and it is to be used to supplement one college course. The initial intake of students for 1975 of nearly 500 has been nearly doubled for 1976, presumably by recommendation. The course starts by explaining the balance of life between land, water and air and the damage to them by disposal of wastes from all sources. The slow growth of effective Public Health and similar legislation is illustrated by an account of the water-borne cholera epidemics in London around 1850 and an excellent broadcast on Clean Air Success To-day. Thereafter the texts cover (i) water supply and purification, including some geology (ii) refuse disposal and recycling of solid wastes (iii) purification of sewage and industrial liquid effluents (iv) noise (v) air pollution. (vi) planning: areas of concern. This ground is covered in 16 well illustrated and printed Units of text (1050 pp) accompanied by supplements containing some extracts of recent papers and notes on 8 TV and 16 radio programmes; these last are not compulsory. The TV programmes obviously bring to life subjects which most students would not otherwise see, even those living in industrial areas. The boxes of home experiment kits contain apparatus for measurement of (i) rainfall (ii) dissolved oxygen by Ag-Pb electrode, (iii) pH, NH*, Cl ions by calorimeter (iv) sound intensity in dB (v) smoke and SOz. The instructions are clearly written for those unused to laboratory techniques; an assistant is desirable for outdoor surveys of rivers, noise and smoke all of which would take several hours. Students are required to write up at least one set of measurements. Marks are not deducted when apparatus failed as sometimes occurred with electrics; it is the ability to observe and report that matters. The Units on Air Pollution give an account of gaseous and particulate emissions, their measurement and some of their chemical reactions. The effects on people, animals, vegetation and materials are de-
scribed. Dispersion under various meteorological conditions is discussed in a simple way. Details are then given of the administrative control of air pollution in England from AD 852 (the English invented air pollution?) up to the Control of Pollution Act, 1974, and the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974. A good account of the Rijmond air pollution monitoring in Holland gives the background to some recent papers in this Journal (cf. Vol 10, 1). A criticism is that the problems of factory designers are not discussed. A lengthy account is given of a Public Planning Inquiry in 1966 on a proposal to build a further large (Fletton) brickworks in Buckinghamshire. The objectionable emissions were S02,S03, smoke, noxious rubbery type smell (possibly unsaturated sulphur-containing hydrocarbon) and fluorides (affecting cattle, vegetation, trees and people). This example was probably chosen because the Open University campus at Milton Keynes is 4 km NW of the proposed works. The evidence I gave at the Inquiry is quoted at some length. It is unfortunate that this case was used because the treatment of dispersion has since been greatly improved and there is also much more quantitative information on the effects of pollutants; in consequence the evidence is not consistent with the up-to-date text. The information given in this course is superior to that in any of the numerous semi-popular books written during the past few years by authors who have not done their homework and have not tackled so many facets of the Environment. Some of the questions set for computer and tutor marking will make scientific readers think hard; students, however, are only expected to provide answers deducable from the text. Most of the contributors and readers of this journal would benefit by being made aware of this overview of the technical and legal problems of environmental pollution in a single connected publication, especially those outwith their own specialisations. It could also be valuable to their ,junior staff and might interest their families. The course units and the equipment may be obtained from the Marketing Division, The Open University, P.O. Box 81, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AT.