Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Water quality impacts from leaking coal ash ponds at two superfund sites(Montana State University, 2020) Rozwara, Aeriel Kyra; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Miranda MargettsCoal is a fossil fuel used worldwide for energy production. Although coal is a plentiful and cost-efficient source of energy, the by-product of coal production, coal ash, poses environmental and human health risks. My analysis involved the identification and comparison of concentrations of thallium, manganese, and arsenic contamination at two Superfund managed sites that experienced a leak of coal ash ponds. I also examined the potential role that public awareness and risk management approaches undertaken at each site to contain the effect of the contamination may have played in mitigating the extent of the risk impacts. The Kingston Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) coal ash spill received national media coverage and occurred over a large visible area in a relatively short time frame (December 2008 - December 2014). In contrast, the coal ash spill at Town of Pines received limited media attention and occurred slowly over many years (April 2000 - present). As a result, the spill remained unknown to many residents in neighboring counties. To investigate the efficacy of the implemented mitigation measures, I compared both the risk management approach to containing the spills, and the contaminant concentrations (arsenic, manganese, and thallium) at each site over time. Overall, the TVA coal ash spill received a relatively fast, intensive containment, reflected by contaminant values reduced to below EPA threshold levels within a matter of months. The visible extent of the spill was shared extensively by the media . Conversely, my analysis of the Town of Pines spill, which remained unknown to residents and received limited media attention, highlighted that although concentration values have decreased over a 15-year timeframe, some concentrations remain at harmful levels. The results of my study demonstrate the influence of public awareness and subsequent community pressure on the timeliness of remediation measures and reduction of overall environmental and human health risks from coal ash spills.Item A case study examining the historical use of waist tethers and associated training practices in adaptive skiing(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2022) Augst, Jaime; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. John GravesThis case study investigated the historical application of and training practices revolving around waist tethers for students enrolled in Eagle Mount's multiweek ski program at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, Montana. Historically, Eagle Mount trained all new volunteers to operate waist tethers to support students. Capitalizing on best practices working with adaptive skiers, it was hypothesized that this approach inhibited student autonomy and may not consider the student central to learning to ski. To learn more about this, Eagle Mount's Bridger Bowl Snowsports staff was interviewed, a restructured training model was examined, waist tether volunteers were questioned, and student lessons were observed. It was determined that waist tethers could limit autonomy and discourage a student's least restrictive environment. Yet, there are instances that these tools are appropriate based on the student's needs and to support their goals. Because the historic training model strongly emphasized the operational skills required to safely waist tether a student, it was possible that identifying student goals and crafting a unique progression that supported a student-centered experience may not have been the central message of volunteer training. As such, volunteers may have lacked the tools necessary to encourage an environment that inherently focused on progressions and highlights play and exploration via games and activities that capitalize on student interests. The restructured training environment required for all new volunteers made this the central element of the discussion. It provided volunteers with a toolbox of ideas to support safe and fun progressions based on students' needs and goals. As a result, fewer students currently use waist tethers, greater emphasis is placed on games and activities that engage students, and more time is spent by volunteers supporting student autonomy.Item Using an adapted LOSA to assess safety conditions of an undergraduate construction course(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2024) Sponheim, Isaac Mikhel; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dustin PerryStudents working in the agricultural mechanics laboratory are exposed to valuable career-building skills. However, this is also a hazardous environment in which many are injured annually (Chumbley et al., 2018; Perry et al., 2012; Saucier et al., 2014; Utah Department of Health, 2007). As students leave SBAE and go out into the workforce, the safety story does not improve much with workplace fatality numbers rising in recent years (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). Agricultural mechanics teachers are forced to deal with this problem on an individual basis, so without a standardized method of assessing and teaching safety a gap has been left between how students interact with safety in school and in the workplace. One proposed solution is to utilize industry safety models to teach and assess safety in the classroom. A specific example of this is the Line Operation Safety Audit used by commercial airlines (Klinect et al., 2003). This paper will explore the background of this instrument and its applicability to the agricultural mechanics environment.Item Tuberculosis control in rural Montana : a hospital exposure control plan(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 1995) Peterschick, Terri Ann; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Patricia G. ButterfieldItem A pilot study of self-efficacy and household environmental risk reduction(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2011) Werrell, Leda Kathryn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Wade G. HillCurrently there are numerous environmental hazards that low-income and rural families are exposed to in their households. There are ways to detect and reduce or eliminate these hazards, however members of the household would have to initiate this action. Self-efficacy, defined as "an aspect of self-perception that pertains to one's belief in his or her ability to perform a given task or behavior," is a driving force in initiating this action (Vennes & Thomas, 1997, p. 1947). In this study, self-efficacy was quantified and evaluated from a sample of 33 low-income and rural family members. The participants scored their self-efficacy on a numerical scale of 1-100, 100 representing very confident. This secondary data was utilized from the ERRNIE study conducted by Dr. Wade Hill and Dr. Patricia Butterfield. Self-efficacy for five environmental hazards was evaluated: radon, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), well water, lead and carbon monoxide. General self-efficacy for household environmental risk reduction was also evaluated. Mean and standard deviation were calculated utilizing SPSS version 18 to create descriptive statistics. The highest mean for reported self-efficacy was for ETS (89.2). It is likely that this hazard had the highest mean due to being able to smell and see this hazard. The lowest mean for reported self-efficacy was for radon (66.2). This hazard is on odorless gas that requires special testing to detect. Interventions to decrease radon can be expensive and may be viewed as overwhelming and therefore decrease self-efficacy. The overall mean for all items evaluated was 76.5, showing that there is a need for greater attention on this topic. This could be completed by nurse practitioners and would focus on increasing awareness of these hazards, the possible health consequences of exposure to the hazards, and what interventions are available to decrease or eliminate this exposure.