Lead in the Environment: A Response by Undergraduate Student Robert Leenhouts
Meet Geosciences undergraduate student Robert Leenhouts. He is currently studying Geology and cares a lot about environmental conservation.
Robert recently wrote a letter to the editor that was featured in the Arizona Daily Star regarding the dangers of potentially exposing people, especially children, to lead inhalation through airborne dust. This was a response to an op-ed covering a proposal to locate a lead-laden mining talings pile near a residential area of Tucson.
Associate Professor Paul Sheppard of the University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research shared that Robert’s work in his Great US Ecological Catastrophes course made him the perfect candidate to craft a response. His environmental catastrophe of choice for his semester project was “Mobilization of Lead (Pb) in the Environment”.
“In speaking with Robert about this op-ed, I asked if he'd be willing to write a follow-up letter, and he agreed,” shared Dr. Sheppard, “Based on his understanding of the lead-environment-public health issue gained from the Catastrophes course, Robert added to the argument against even potentially exposing people, especially children, to lead inhalation through airborne dust.”
“It means a lot to me that my voice is being heard on this matter. In the future, I plan on working in a field that contributes to conservation, perhaps in academia or the NPS. I'm deeply grateful for the amazing professors, like Dr. Sheppard, who have enriched my understanding of Earth sciences, and have inspired me to continue to learn and be curious.”
Original op-ed: https://tucson.com/opinion/column/article_511934a2-f9c9-11ef-ae68-17d6088b4cbe.html
Robert’s letter: https://tucson.com/opinion/letters/local-issues/article_4556175c-04c3-11f0-b110-cfb88c6e0ad5.html