Environmental engineers study West Virginia chemical spill

A chemical spill released 10,000 gallons of 4-MethylCycloHexane methanol into the Elk River, affecting water supplies and prompting a federal disaster declaration. Environmental engineer Jennifer Weitz received a RAPID grant to study the spill's impact on ecosystems and human health. Her team collected samples to analyze contamination and the chemical's properties. The research aims to understand long-term effects, such as chemical absorption in plastic pipes, and to inform future disaster prevention strategies.

What chemical was involved in the spill that affected the Elk River?

• Ammonia

• Chlorine

• Benzene

• 4-MethylCycloHexane methanol

What action did President Obama take in response to the chemical spill?

• Ordered an evacuation

• Declared a state of emergency

• Issued a federal disaster declaration

• Deployed the National Guard

Who was the local environmental engineer that took initiative to study the spill?

• Michael Johnson

• Sarah Lee

• Jennifer Weitz

• David Brown

What type of grant did the National Science Foundation provide to study the spill?

• Innovation grant

• RAPID grant

• Research grant

• Development grant

What is a potential long-term effect of the chemical spill on plastic drinking water pipes?

• They will change color

• They will become brittle and break

• They may absorb and later release the chemical

• They will become resistant to chemicals