Team:UC Davis

POLICY & PRACTICES PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS THE TEAM SAFETY & PROTOCOLS A report released by the United States Government Accountability Office revealed that of the 80,000 chemicals in commercial use today, only a few are tested and even fewer are restricted. Triclosan is one of these 80,000 chemicals. An antimicrobial agent added to a range of consumer products, triclosan has undergone scrutiny in recent years due to its environmental and human health consequences. This summer we investigated how we might leverage biotechnology to raise awareness and accountability around triclosan use specifically, and around responsible chemical use at large. After exploring our problem space we realized that any device we built for the detection of triclosan would be but one node in a complex web of social, political and industrial interactions. We thought carefully about where this tool would be most effective and what additional resources would be needed to complement it. After identifying public awareness as an effective catalyst for change, we chose high school students as a potential audience and a lesson plan as a viable medium of delivery. Our project consists of three components: a triclosan biosensor, a hands-on lesson plan, and an antimicrobial footprint app that together are an integrated solution to help promote more responsible chemical use. Sources: Stephenson, John B. "Options Exist to Improve EPA’s Ability to Assess Health Risks and Manage Its Chemical Review Program." GAO, June 2005. Web.

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