2010-2011

News Release

REF NO.: 214

SUBJECT: Johnson GEO CENTRE Public Lecture Series

DATE: May 16, 2011

As part of the festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Memorial University’s Department of Geography, the Johnson GEO CENTRE sponsored a series of public lectures on the role of geography in all of our lives throughout the 2010-2011 academic year. The final lecture will take place on Tuesday, May 24.
            Dr. Trevor Bell, professor in the Faculty of Arts’ Geography Department, will discuss What Lies Beneath: Uncovering the Legacy of Environmental Lead in Residential St. John’s on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at the GEO CENTRE.
            Older residential neighbourhoods in St. John’s have lead levels in soil and house dust above health-based guidelines, primarily related to the past use of leaded paint and coal burning. Soil-lead levels are sufficiently high to warrant public health concern, especially for young children who are more sensitive to the health effects of lead. Dr. Bell’s lecture will detail an ongoing study to determine whether there is an increased exposure for children to residential lead in St. John's and to map the potential sources and pathways of lead exposure.

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